Many are in outrage over the death of Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu. The mother of four passed away on April 8th in Abuja at just 42-years-old, leading to speculation over her cause of death.

Although the cause of death has not been officially confirmed, friends and family have spoken out about Osinachi’s abusive husband, Peter Nwachukwu, alleging him as the killer.

The claims counteract previous reports stating that her death was due to throat cancer.

Nwachukwu has since been arrested by police in Abuja and is awaiting investigation.

Osinachi’s death has sparked wider debates in Nigeria about domestic violence. The country currently has no national laws against this crime.

The two regional laws that do exist, the 2007 Protection Against Domestic Violence Law (PADVL) and the 2015 Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP), are only applicable in Lagos State and FCT Abuja, respectively.

Since 2015 however, 28 out of the 36 Nigerian states have passed their own versions of the VAPP Act.

Pauline Tallen, Nigeria’s current Minister for Women Affairs, is seeking justice for Osinachi. She announced in a public statement:

“Women must come out and speak, all men and women of conscience should always come out and speak. We call on neighbours where this act is being perpetrated to come out and speak.

“It is so sad that so many women are living in abusive marriages but are afraid to leave just because of what the society will say.”

A petition demanding justice for Osinachi and other victims of domestic abuse is currently at 15,000 signatures.