The verdict of the no-case submission submitted by Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi, has been set for October 17 by a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
The gospel singer, who died on April 8, 2022, was thought to have died of throat cancer at first.
However, associates said it was related to an assault committed by her spouse, who was later arrested.
The federal government has filed a 23-count accusation against Peter in connection with Osinachi’s death.
After the defendant pleaded not guilty, the sitting judge, Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, remanded him to the Kuje jail facility until further proceedings.
During the trial, which began on June 20, 2022 and finished on March 10, 2023, the prosecution called 17 witnesses to testify.
The National Hospital in Abuja later issued an autopsy report, stating that there was “no sign of violence on the deceased.”
Osinachi died as a result of “generalised organ pallor; bilateral leg swelling; fluid in the sac containing the heart; tumor deposits in and on the heart, lungs, and kidneys; massively enlarged heart and fluid around the lungs which restrict breathing,” according to the study.
Following the report, I. A. Aliyu, the defendant’s lead counsel, proceeded to file a no-case submission, implying that Nwachukwu had no case to answer.
Aliyu said evidence presented by the medical practitioners exonerates Nwachukwu from the allegations of culpable homicide and domestic violence.
He said the autopsy report confirms that Osinachi died “solely as a result of outgrowth tumors, which resulted in cardiac tamponade, the primary cause of death and abnormal growth of tissue (cancer) which is secondary cause of death”.
“There was no mark of violence on the deceased at the time the autopsy was conducted,” the lawyer said.
Aliyu further stated that the children (aged 14 and under) were “tutored” on what to say during their father’s testimony.
Aliyu asked the court to upload his no-case statement and discharge the defendant at the resumption of the hearing on Tuesday.
The prosecution counsel, on the other hand, asked the court to dismiss the defendant’s submission while ordering him to enter defense in the case.
Nwosu-Iheme later adjourned the case for ruling to October 17.