An Abuja High Court on Friday remanded Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel artiste Osinachi, at the Kuje correctional facility pending the determination of the case filed against him.
High Court Justice, N.K. Nwosu-Iheme also ordered for accelerated hearing of the case, after Mr Nwachukwu pleaded not guilty to 23 counts revolving around homicide and domestic violence.
“The business for today is for arraignment, accelerated hearing is hereby ordered,” declared Justice Nwosu-Iheme.
“Defendant should be remanded in Kuje correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of this suit,” she said.
The trial was also adjourned from June 16 to June 17.
The Nigerian government had filed a 23-count charge against him, including culpable homicide, which is punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
The case was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on May 20, 2022, by the Head, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, Yewande Gbola-Awopetun.
Mr Nwachukwu was earlier detained at the Lugbe Divisional Police Headquarters, Abuja, following his arrest in April.
He was arrested over allegations that he repeatedly assaulted his wife till she died from injuries sustained in the process.
Mrs Osinachi died last month after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.
