The husband of a top Nigerian gospel singer, who died in Abuja in April, has pleaded not guilty to all charges related to his death and alleged abuse in their marriage.
Osinachi Nawachuku’s death led her family to allege that she was the victim of domestic abuse. He sang in the 2017 hit gospel song Ekvume, which has 77 million YouTube views.
There are a total of 23 charges against Peter Nwachukuo. Some of them relate to domestic violence, which includes emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, as well as culpable homicide not amounting to murder – a crime that can be punished with the death penalty.
The High Court in Abuja ordered that Mr Nwachuku be sent to prison.
He is in custody while the police are probing the cause of his death.
Initial reports said that the 42-year-old music star was ill with throat cancer, but his family denied it.
Many Nigerians, especially Christians, reacted to the news of his death with sadness and anger.
Some went online and urged religious leaders not to advise church members to be in abusive relationships.
The pastor at the church where she was the lead singer, Paul Enanche of Dunamis International Gospel Center, said that as a faith group she had no tolerance for domestic abuse and did not know she was the victim of the alleged abuse.
The late star has left behind four children.
