The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, on Wednesday, assured Nigerians, particularly family members of the late gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu, that the police will prosecute the widower of the late singer swiftly once investigations are concluded and evidence proves he had a hand in her death.
Baba gave the assurance when the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Kedem Tallen, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Tallen, who was accompanied by some members of the late singer’s family, tabled the plight of women in Nigeria, particularly in relation to gender and domestic-based violence, before the IGP, calling for action against perpetrators.
She particularly fingered the case of Osinachi Nwachukwu whose untimely death, allegedly at the hands of her husband, on April 8, 2022, triggered public outcry. The Minister sought to know what efforts the police had made to ensure that justice is speedily dispensed.
All these were contained in a press statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP.
According to him, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, in his reaction, noted that the untimely death is heart-breaking particularly as information from sources close to the family and independent witnesses fingered her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, as being responsible for her death.
The IGP stated that the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, had arrested the deceased’s husband at about 5p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at their residence in Lugbe, Abuja. And the suspect is currently being detained at the FCT Police Command even as investigations are still ongoing.
The IGP, the release continued, further emphasized that considering the sensitive nature of the case, and the need to get justice swiftly, the command has approached the National Hospital, Abuja, for post-mortem examinations on the deceased to ascertain the cause of death. And her husband would be charged to court as soon as it is established that he was responsible for her death.
Mr. Baba stressed that the alleged act is condemnable in all ramifications as it is both illegal and immoral for one human to take the life of another in any manner contrary to the provisions of the law. He reiterated the commitment of the Force under his leadership to ensuring that cases of this nature, including domestic violence, sexual and gender-based violence, rape, and other social vices are accorded utmost attention with a view to bringing their perpetrators to justice according to the provisions of extant laws.