The federal government says Osinachi Nwachukwu will get justice following the nationwide uproar elicited by her death.
The acclaimed gospel singer was alleged to have been a silent victim of domestic assault by Peter Nwachukwu, her now-embattled husband.
Peter was arrested after Osinachi’s death was attributed to physical abuse. The singer was initially thought to have died of throat cancer but her associates claim it may be connected to an alleged assault by her husband, who is now being investigated by the police.
Dame Pauline Tallen, minister of women’s affairs, spoke on the issue in a statement issued on Monday.
The minister said the husband of the late gospel artiste, if found to be complicit in her death, will be prosecuted and justice will be served to the deceased.
We cannot continue to keep losing our young women to mentally unstable young men all in the name of marriage,” Tallen said.
“Our religious and traditional institutions, as well as the immediate families must join us in this fight to rid our society of such acts before they become fatal.
“I was woken up to the news of the untimely death of one of Nigeria’s finest female gospel artiste Osinachi Nwachukwu who was said to have died as a result of cancer on 8th April 2022.
“This could have passed as one of those until new facts started emerging that she died as a result of domestic violence.
“Then you begin to wonder and ask how such a talented and self-accomplished individual who loved God has been a victim? It is now truly obvious that violence knows no class or creed.”
The minister condemned traditional norms which she said are responsible for sweeping domestic violence between couples under the carpet.
She said the government would work out psychosocial support for Osinachi’s kids in response to the trauma they may have experienced.
“The federal government and the states have declared zero tolerance to gender-based violence. And so, the federal ministry of women’s affairs under my watch will prosecute this matter to get justice for Osinachi,” Tallen added.
“It is obvious that her children also need psycho-social support to heal from this trauma if it is true that their father will go the whole length of tying her up and asking the children to flog her with a cane.
“This is unbelievable and must be condemned in all its ramifications.
“The ministry working with relevant authorities will set in motion the mechanism to rehabilitate these children so that they do not grow up damaged and assume that such acts are normal thereby poisoning our society.”
