The absence of a judge of a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday stalled the trial of Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme had on June 3 ordered that Nwachukwu be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre and fixed Thursday and Friday for hearing after he pleaded not guilty to the alleged homicide charge filed against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
He was therefore remanded pending the hearing and determination of the
23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and homicide instituted against him.
Although the defendant was in court, the judge, however, was absent for Thursday’s proceeding and the court officials said they could not divulge the reason for her absence.
They in addition stated that the court had fixed June 20 and 21, for hearing.
Nwachukwu was arrested by the Nigeria Police after his wife died on April 8 following widespread allegations by their children, family and colleagues that he battered her leading to her death.
According to the charge, the crime he allegedly committed contravenes Sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015, Section 221 of the Penal Code and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) 2015.
