A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Wuse has ordered the remand of Peter Nwachukwu, the husband to the late gospel singer, Osinachi, in Kuje prison.

Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, in a ruling yesterday, ordered that Nwachukwu remains in custody until the conclusion of his trial.

The judge gave the ruling after Nwachukwu pleaded not guilty to the 23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and homicide, among others, brought against him by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

She granted accelerated hearing and adjourned till June 16 at 12 noon for the commencement of trial.

Osinachi was a lead gospel singer at the Dunamis Church, Abuja until her death.

She died on April 8 this year, with many of her colleagues accusing her husband of subjecting her to domestic violence, which they claimed caused her death.

Nwachukwu is charged under sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and culpable homicide contrary to section 221 of the Penal Code which is punishable with death.

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He is, in the charge marked: CR/199/22 accused of forcibly ejecting the deceased from the family home, contrary to the VAP Act, adding that he also attempted culpable homicide by pushing Osinachi out of a moving vehicle.

The defendant is alleged to have deprived the deceased of her personal liberty by restraining her movement and locking her up in the house.

Nwachukwu is equally accused of emotional, verbal and psychological abuse contrary to section 14(1) of the VAP Act, 2015.

He was alleged to have denied the late Osinachi access to her money for medication and household necessities and forced her into begging and borrowing.

The defendant is also alleged to have forcibly isolated and separated her from her family by preventing the deceased’s mother and siblings from visiting her matrimonial home.

Nwachukwu is further accused of cruelly beating the children and recording their cry and playing it on his phone, noting that he threatened the children and prevented them from reporting the acts of domestic violence against their mother to his pastor, Dr Paul Enenche or any other person.