Reacting to the death of Osinachi whose demise triggered a public outcry, the IGP 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.

He stated that the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, arrested the deceased’s husband at about 5 pm on Sunday 10th April 2022 at their residence in Lugbe, Abuja.

The suspect is currently in detention at the FCT Police Command even as investigations are still ongoing.

The IGP also reiterated his commitment to ensure that cases of domestic violence, sexual and gender-based violence, rape, and other social vices are accorded utmost attention.

He promised to bring perpetrators to justice according to the provisions of extant laws.

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According to the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, Osinachi Nwachukwu never had any bank account and all that she made as a professional musician was kept by her greedy husband, Peter Nwachukwu.

Moreover, the minister said the children confided in her that their dad brutalises Osinachi and them as well.

Tallen said: “It is so traumatizing, so heartbreaking, the death of Osinachi. When I came into the compound, I saw the children, four beautiful children; three boys, one girl. He (Peter) had told the children that they should not speak about the things that have been happening in the house.

“I came in with all the directors in the ministry. When I was asking questions, I saw that the children were not forthcoming. I excused everyone and said I wanted to have a one-on-one with the children.

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“I first spoke with the first son. I asked him, ‘Do you love your mother?’ He said, ‘Yes’. ‘Has your mummy taught you not to tell lies?’ He said, ‘Yes’. I asked him if she is still alive and he said she is dead. ‘Do you know that she is now your angel and she is now watching you?’ He said, ‘Yes’. ‘So, it will be very sad if you tell lies’.”

“Then he opened up… And said that their dad used to beat their mum and their mum was always sad. He would beat her and flog her. He said their father would gather them in the room and be beating them and if the mum comes into the room to stop him, he would turn back on her and beat her up. And that has always been the issue.

“They said it was their mum that runs around on her gospel music, comes back with her money, in fact, if the money is paid through (a) bank account, it was paid into his account. She has no account of her own, any money she has, he collects it and gives her just peanut for feeding and when she cooks, he started shouting and beating her. And their mom was living in fear and was always sad.

“It was such a horrible story from a young boy that is said to be just 12. I asked him what class he is and he said Class Five. At the age of 12? I said, ‘Why?’ And he said he can’t even read. So, mentally, this child is already destroyed. I was battling with tears and when he finished, I called on the second son.”

A police source told our correspondent that the autopsy, which should have been done on Wednesday, was delayed because of the absence of some family members, adding that the process started on Thursday at the National Hospital Abuja, where she died.

The source said, “You know there have been speculations about her death. The husband is insisting that he died due to an illness. The autopsy was not done yesterday (Wednesday) because everyone had to be represented before they commence, but some people were absent, that was why they couldn’t do it. It is in stages, but I call tell you that the process commenced today.”

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development.

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“The autopsy is part of the investigation,” she added.

The late Osinachi died on Friday at 42.

A popular singer, Frank Edwards, had in a live Instagram video accused Osinachi’s husband, Peter, of maltreating and beating her.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, while quoting the children of the deceased, also said Osinachi was beaten by her husband.

On Sunday, PUNCH Metro reported that Peter was arrested and detained at the Lugbe Police Division after the younger brother of the deceased reported the matter.

Meanwhile, the Senate has urged the police and all relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate Osinachi’s death and give the family justice.

The Senate said the lives of all citizens must be accounted for by those in authority.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, made the call in his remarks moments before the Senate held a minute silence in honour of the deceased.

While coming under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders on Personal Explanation, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South), drew the attention of the chamber to the death of the singer.

Reacting to the widely reported news, the Senate President said, “The authorities should investigate the death of this citizen; the life of every citizen must matter. This is one death too many.”

Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Center in a video on his Facebook page said the musician and all those close to her kept the domestic violence issue from him.

Rather, he said the late singer during a visit to his office with her husband, complained of chest pains and respiratory stress.

He explained that after prayers, he helped facilitate her visit to a different hospital where she was checked and managed for the illness.

The cleric maintained that the church was not aware of the domestic violence she suffered in her marriage.

He said Osinachi called him daily and reported progress as she needed no oxygen at some point.

“She called me literally daily and reported progress and I prayed with her. She told me they checked her oxygen perfusion and it was 100% and we were very excited at that progress. That was the point it was before we went to the crusade in Cameroon. It was the second night in Cameron that I got to know of the unfortunate incident of her passing.

“If there was domestic violence that led to it or coincided with those symptoms she came with, there is no way I will know. If there was domestic violence there is no way I will know,” he said.

Pastor Enenche said the things he heard after her passing was strange to him. He said Osinachi’s twin sister told him that the talented singer had begged her not to inform the church.

According to him, Osinachi’s first son, who confirmed his mother suffered domestic violence, also revealed that he didn’t tell the pastor because their father always asked what they discussed with Eneche anytime he and his sibling greeted the pastor.

He added that he confronted some of the people privy to the abuse and was informed that it was Osinachi that begged them not to reveal the situation.

Pastor Enenche stated emphatically that, they don’t support domestic violence of any kind.

“As a church, we have zero degree tolerance for domestic abuse of any sort. It is better to be alive without a marriage than to die because of marriage,” he stressed.

Pastor Enenche prayed that God will give Osinachi’s family grace during this trying time.

Watch video below

He urged prospective couples to undertake appropriate background investigations on their future spouses before tying the knot.

In a post on Instagram, he stated that love is not blind, “because God is love and God is not blind” and hence it is important for people to “shine their eyes” when making that important decision.

He stated that people should not ignore the red flags they see in their relationships.

Nathaniel Bassey advised that “even when you say, or they said, ‘God said’ but you identify some traits very inconsistent with Godly character, pray and check again…May you not marry your enemy.”

The gospel singer prayed for others, both men and women, who are in horrible marital situations.

“May God give you the WISDOM to make the right decisions before it is too late. In Jesus’ name. Amen,” he added.

This follows the death of fellow gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu, who allegedly died from being abused by her husband.

Osinachi Nwachukwu passed away on Friday, April 8, at a hospital in Abuja.

The musician, known for her hit song ‘Ekwueme’, reportedly passed away after she was abused by her husband.

Below is his post on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nathaniel Bassey (@nathanielblow)

Osinachi’s first son disclosed that his father, Peter Nwachukwu, was in the habit of beating up his mother during little arguments.

He recounted how his father pushed his mother out of the car and forced her to walk back home after a Wednesday church service.

In a conversation with the deceased’s friend, Ene Ogbe, the young boy said his father told them that it was good to beat women.

Ogbe disclosed that. he confided in her that their father seized two vehicles given to the late singer while asking her to board bikes.

Revealing her conversation with the deceased children, Ogbe said: “By God’s grace, I was in our beloved late sister’s house this evening again and am glad that the police arrested him. But what baffles me is the way and manner he has polluted the children’s minds!! I had a chat with the first born, and I almost started crying again.

“This boy told me the ordeal his mum has been going through with his dad, how he beats her up in any little argument, he said aunty; my dad pushed my mum out of the car at night after Wednesday service, and bad boys snatched my mom’s bag that night, how mom got home that night I can’t tell because dad left her, people dashed my mom this two cars (pointed at them for me to see) but dad at times will say my mom should take bike while we go in the car, even when we are coming back from church my mom will stand under the sun and we will drive and pass her and we will wave at her, my dad told us that beating women is good.

“I had to cut in the conversation, and I told him it is very wrong to beat a woman and that God is against it, and I talk sense into him. He said they are happy that their dad was arrested because he shouted and beat them up.

“The second-born sang for us too; he has a golden voice like the mom. The first said my mom always keeps quiet for my daddy and she always forgives, and now she has died and I told him not to worry as his mom is in heaven!!! May the soul of our beloved sister rest in peace and may God take care of the four kids she left behind Amen!!”

Osinachi is believed to have died due to domestic violence she suffered from her husband, the Dailypost reported.

The Ekwueme singer, it was gathered, had been on life support for the past two months.

The singer, who is known for her angelic voice, is generally known for the track, Ekwueme, and afterwards the sad news of her demise has gone viral, with many people reacting to it.

Right through her career as a gospel singer, she has featured in some popular gospel songs like ‘Nara Ekele’ by Pastor Paul Enenche (Dunamis, Abuja), ‘Ekwueme’ by Prospa Ochimana, and ‘You no dey use me play’ by Emma.