The late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu’s sister, Favour Madu, told a Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Monday, her sister was treated like an animal by her husband, Peter Nwachukwu.
Madu, 44, a data processing officer with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Enugu, testified as a second witness for prosecution in the alleged culpable homicide case brought against Nwachukwu by the Attorney-general’s office.
When Madu was asked by the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana, what happened that she wanted justice, she said: “Her husband never treated her well.
“He treated her like an animal, beats her anyhow, never made her happy and never allowed her to associate with her family.”
Madu told the court that her sister got married in 2008 and had four children, adding the oldest was 12 while the last girl was seven.
The withness further stated that they referred to Nwachukwu as ‘Manager’ because he had control of everything including her money, and the fear she had of him, made her not to relate well with her family.
“There was a time she went for ministration and when she asked for stage fee, she was told that N2 million had been paid into her husband’s account.
“He was responsible for booking events, collect money and only tells her to go and minister without giving pocket money.
“When my father was ill, he wanted to come to Abuja for treatment but the defendant refused and he eventually died.
”While traveling for our father’s burial, the defendant slapped her because she complained of how rough he was driving.
“My sister developed ulcer as a result of starvation because Nwachukwu never provided for his family.
“She was the provider for the family. My sister owns the house they lived in.
“He drove her out of the house with their last baby under the rain and it was her first son that snuck a wrapper to cover the baby,” Madu said.
During cross examination of the withness, the defence counsel, I A Aliyu, asked the withness if the family expected to benefit from her late sister’s finances, she answered in the affirmative.
When she was asked if she asked what led to her sister’s death at the hospital, she said the defendant prevented the deceased’s twin sister and her brother who were in the hospital from asking the doctors.
The Judge, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until Tuesday, for continuation of hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that in Monday’s proceeding, other family members of the deceased singer, Osinachi, were in court.
Her two children, mother, brother and twin sister were also in court.
The defendant was arraigned on June 3 and was remanded in Kuje Custodial Centre after he pleaded not guilty to the alleged homicide charge filed against him by the Attorney -General of the Federation.
He was therefore remanded pending the hearing and determination of the 23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and homicide instituted against him.
Nwachukwu was arrested by the Nigeria Police after his wife died on April 8 following wide spread allegations by their children, family and colleagues that he was responsible for her death. (NAN)
