June 20, (THEWILL) – Caroline Madu, mother of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, on Monday, told a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, that her son-in-law, Peter Nwachukwu, called her a witch and threw her out of his house.
Mrs Madu, 61, a resident of Enugu, while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana, as chief witness through an interpreter also informed the court that she and her other children were never allowed to visit the late singer, except on one occasion when she was ill.
Madu said she came to the court to explain what Peter did to her daughter, Osinachi.
She said, “I visited my daughter when I was sick and when we went to the church, Peter left my daughter and I stranded in church, while he drove away with the children.
“Peter called me a witch, sent me out of his house and it was a man from Delta State that accommodated me.
“I saw her last in December, when she came to Enugu for a programme and before then, there was a time she left her matrimonial home because of the ill treatment and she stayed with me for a year and three months before Peter came with a pastor to beg as he had turned a new leaf.
“However, after she returned and gave birth to her third child, she called me that she was hungry and I had to send my son Chibuzor with food stuff to her in Abuja.
“My son after four days called me that he was no longer comfortable as Peter poured water on him and told him never to help in washing his children’s clothes and poured water on Osinachi and her new born baby when she was praying.”
Aliyu, during cross-examination, asked Madu if she was aware that apart from the ulcer she told the court her daughter had, if she knew she had other health challenges.
She replied in the negative, adding that she was aware that the matter was investigated, but she did not know the outcome of the investigation carried out by the police.
He asked her if she was aware that the case was referred to the police for investigation, and she answered in the affirmative.
The second prosecution Witness, Madu Favour, the deceased’s sister, insisted that Peter treated her late sibling like an “animal”.
“I work with National Human Rights Commission, as Principal Data Processing Officer(44). He beats her like an animal”, she said.
She maintained that Osinachi had ulcer.
After she concluded her testimony, Peter stood up to respond, but Justice N.K. Nwosu-Iheme told him to hold his response till the time of defence.
The defence counsel further asked Favour if she was part of her sister’s ministry.
She said no.
“The principal reason you have issues is that you belief that he prevented you from benefiting from her ministry?” Aliyu asked.
“Yes, but that is one of the reasons”, Favour said.
She insisted she did not know her sister suffered other ailments aside ulcer, adding that she has not seen any medical report on any health issues.
“When your sister died, did you try to go to hospital and find out the cause of the death”, Aliyu asked, but she replied that Peter did not allow them to access the medical report.
The court adjourned till Tuesday for continuation of trial.
Recall that Peter had pleaded not guilty to 23 count charges bordering on domestic violence, homicide, wrong restraint, among others.
He was arrested by the Nigeria Police after his wife died on April 8, following widespread allegations by their children, family and colleagues that the late singer died of persistent assault by her husband.
The defendant was arraigned on June 3 and was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after he pleaded not guilty to the alleged homicide charge filed against him by the attorney-general of the federation.
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