On April 8, 2022, Nigeria lost a voice that could make angels weep. Osinachi Nwachukwu, the 42-year-old gospel sensation behind the soul-stirring hit Ekwueme, died in an Abuja hospital. Her passing sent shockwaves through the nation, but what followed was a saga so chilling it could silence even the loudest choir. Behind her radiant smile and anointed melodies lay a secret hell. A marriage marked by relentless abuse, control, and a tragic end that culminated in her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, being sentenced to death by hanging. This is the untold story of Osinachi’s life, her torment, and the justice that came too late.
The Voice of a Nation
Osinachi, born on November 12, 1979, in Owerri, Imo State, was a gift to Nigeria’s gospel scene. Raised in an Igbo family, she honed her craft through private schooling and university, but it was her voice - described as “angelic” by fans that set her apart. Her 2017 collaboration Ekwueme with Prospa Ochimana amassed over 77 million YouTube views, cementing her as a household name. As a lead singer at Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja, she filled the 100,000-seat auditorium with songs like Nara Ekele and You No Dey Use Me Play. Her Igbo-language hymns, infused with spiritual fervor, made her a beacon of hope for millions.
Yet, beneath the spotlight, Osinachi was fighting a battle no one saw. Her marriage to Peter Nwachukwu, a pastor and her manager, was a facade of devotion hiding a nightmare of violence.
A Marriage of Chains
Peter Nwachukwu was not just Osinachi’s husband; he was her jailer. Described as a “control freak” by friends, he dominated every facet of her life. He controlled her finances, social media, and even her movements, locking her in their Abuja home at Aco Estate, opposite Lugbe Police Station, when she had paid gigs. Gospel artist Gold Martins revealed Osinachi once confided, “If not for the church and what people will say, I would have left this marriage.” Her fear of stigma and religious beliefs kept her trapped.
The abuse was relentless. Peter allegedly slapped Osinachi in a studio for wanting to record in Igbo, humiliated her by calling her “smelling” and “mad” in front of her music crew, and even forced their four children, three boys and a girl to beat her with a cane. A friend, Chidinma Ezego, recounted Osinachi’s chilling words: “He tied her up and asked the children to beat her.” Her sister, Favour Made, revealed Peter forbade Osinachi from visiting her family in Isuochi, Abia State, isolating her completely.
The violence escalated over years, from 2009 to 2022, with emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse documented in court. Peter’s cruelty peaked in April 2022, when he allegedly kicked Osinachi in the chest, causing clusters of blood to form, a fatal injury that landed her on life support for five days before her death.
The Cover-Up and the Outcry
When Osinachi died, Peter spun a lie that gripped headlines: she had succumbed to throat cancer. The rumor spread like wildfire, but her family and friends weren’t buying it. Favour Made told Vanguard, “She did not die of cancer. He hit her with his leg on the chest.” A friend in Ebonyi State alerted Osinachi’s twin sister, who confirmed the abuse. The autopsy from National Hospital, Abuja, sealed Peter’s fate: no cancer, just blood clots from blunt trauma.
Social media erupted. Fans mourned Osinachi’s loss but raged at the betrayal. Gospel singer Frank Edwards went live on Instagram, alleging Peter’s public insults and physical assaults. Nigerians, especially Christians, flooded X with calls for justice, urging churches to stop preaching endurance in abusive marriages. The hashtag #JusticeForOsinachi trended, amplifying the case’s visibility.
Peter was arrested on April 11, 2022, after Osinachi’s younger brother filed a culpable homicide complaint. The police raided their home, but Peter’s claims of hospital visits for Osinachi’s “illness” since November 2021 fell apart, no medical records surfaced. His secret life also unraveled: reports emerged of a “secret wife” outside their marriage, adding a scandalous twist that fueled gossip columns.
The Trial That Shook Nigeria
On June 3, 2022, Peter faced 23 charges at the FCT High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, including culpable homicide (punishable by death), spousal battery, criminal intimidation, and cruelty to children. He pleaded not guilty, insisting Osinachi died of lung cancer. The prosecution, led by Yewande Gbola-Awopetun, called 17 witnesses, including two of Osinachi’s children, who bravely testified against their father. Twenty-five documents, including the autopsy, were tendered as evidence.
The trial, spanning June 2022 to March 2023, was a spectacle. Peter’s defense crumbled when his no-case submission was dismissed in October 2023. Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme ruled the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. On April 28, 2025, Peter was sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide, with additional jail terms and fines for related charges. His lawyer’s plea for mercy claiming Peter had “suffered enough” fell on deaf ears.
The Church’s Silence and a Nation’s Reflection
Dunamis International Gospel Centre, where Osinachi shone, faced scrutiny. Pastor Paul Enenche claimed ignorance of the abuse, stating the church taught against staying in toxic marriages. Yet, worshippers like Honest, a three-year Dunamis member, felt the church tried to “sweep” the scandal under the rug. Osinachi’s refusal to divorce, rooted in her belief that “God is against divorce,” sparked debates about religious doctrine. Her sister recalled pleading, “Separation is not a sin, just stay alive for your children.” Osinachi’s soft heart, described as softer than her twin’s, kept her bound.
The case exposed Nigeria’s domestic violence crisis. Advocates like Chinwe M. Enyinna told The Guardian that cultural and religious pressures often trap women in abusive marriages. Osinachi’s story became a rallying cry, with Nigerians demanding systemic change.
Juicy Tidbits and Lingering Questions
Peter’s Secret Wife: Gossip swirled about Peter’s alleged second wife, a bombshell that painted him as a double-dealing pastor. Though unconfirmed in court, it added a soap-opera flair to the tragedy
The YouTube Password: Peter’s obsession with control extended to Osinachi’s YouTube channel. He demanded her password, spat on her when she refused, and complained his account was “empty,” hinting at financial motives.
The Children’s Plight: Osinachi’s kids, now orphaned by their mother’s death and father’s conviction, remain with their grandmother. A viral video of her daughter singing like her mother tugged at heartstrings, sparking comparisons to Osinachi’s legacy.
Peter’s Arrogance: Even in custody, Peter boasted to Osinachi’s twin, threatening to “separate” the sisters. His lack of remorse fueled public outrage.
A Legacy in Song and Sorrow
Osinachi’s death wasn’t just a loss; it was a wake-up call. Her voice, once a balm for souls, now echoes as a warning. As Peter Nwachukwu awaits his fate on death row, Nigeria grapples with the cost of silence. Osinachi’s four children carry her melody, but also her pain. Her story - equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating demands we listen, not just to her songs, but to the cries she hid.
Will her tragedy change Nigeria’s stance on domestic violence? Or will her angelic voice be drowned out by the next scandal? One thing is certain: Osinachi Nwachukwu’s light burned too brightly to be forgotten, even in the shadow of her darkest days.
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