Madu also said her sister’s husband treated her like an animal while alive and prevented her from relating with her extended family
By Kehinde Okeowo
Favour Madu, one of the sisters of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, on Monday, June 20, told Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, that her sister was maltreated and prevented from associating with her extended family by her husband, Peter.
Madu, who works and resides in Enugu was the second witness for the prosecution in the alleged culpable homicide case brought against the singer’s husband by the Attorney-General’s office.
The civil servant while being led by the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana told the court that her sister’s husband treated the late singer like an animal while she was alive and beat her up at the slightest provocation.
She said, “Her husband never treated her well. He treated her like an animal, beat her anyhow, never made her happy, and never allowed her to associate with her family.”
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The 44-year-old went on to say Peter collected all the money made by her sister and that even though she was the breadwinner, it was her husband who was the one spending the money.
She also accused the husband of preventing her from relating with her extended family and argued that the restrictions led to the death of their father.
”There was a time she went for ministration and when she asked for stage fee, she was told that N2 million had been paid into her husband’s account.
”He was responsible for booking events, collecting money, and only tells her to go and minister without giving pocket money.
“When my father was ill, he wanted to come to Abuja for treatment but the defendant refused and he eventually died.
”While travelling for our father’s burial, the defendant slapped her because she complained of how rough he was driving.” she added.
She further explained that the deceased became an ulcer patient because her husband starved her of food, despite being the one making the money.
“My sister developed ulcer as a result of starvation because Nwachukwu never provided for his family.
“She was the provider for the family. My sister owns the house they lived in.
“He drove her out of the house with their last baby under the rain and it was her first son that snuck a wrapper to cover the baby, ”Madu further narrated.
During cross-examination, the defence counsel, I A Aliyu, asked Madu how she knew about all she said when she was far away in Enugu and wasn’t living with the couple.
She replied saying her late sister told her about what transpired between her and her husband whenever they speak on the phone.
Aliyu also asked the witness if the family expected to benefit from her late sister’s finances and she answered in the affirmative.
When she was asked if she inquired what led to her sister’s death at the hospital, she said Peter kept the deceased twin sister and her brother who were at the hospital in the dark and stopped them from asking the doctors.
The Judge, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, after the cross-examinations, discharged the witness and adjourned the case until Tuesday, for the continuation of the hearing.