COURT SENTENCES EX-DRIVER TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF ELDERLY COUPLE IN ABUJA
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has sentenced Jonathan Marcus, a former driver to an elderly couple, to death by hanging for the murder of his former employers, Mr. Adebola Ezekiel, 80, and his wife, Mrs. Abiodun Ezekiel.
The conviction followed the successful prosecution of the case by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, which established the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The FCT Police Command disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh.
According to the police, the couple was murdered on April 1, 2024, at their residence in Zone D, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
Adeh said an extensive investigation launched after the incident led to the arrest of Marcus, who had fled the Federal Capital Territory and gone into hiding in Obajana, Kogi State.
“The investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, Jonathan Marcus, a former driver to the deceased, who was tracked to Obajana, Kogi State, where he had gone into hiding after committing the crime. He was subsequently arrested and brought to Abuja for further investigation,” she said.
The police spokesperson stated that Marcus confessed during interrogation to carrying out the killings after gaining access to the victims’ residence late at night.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to gaining access to the residence of the deceased at about 11:00 p.m. on April 1, 2024, where he murdered the couple,” Adeh added.
Investigations further revealed that the convict had previously worked as the couple’s driver but was dismissed following repeated disagreements with them.
The suspect was subsequently arraigned before the FCT High Court, where the matter proceeded to trial.
According to the police, Justice M. S. Idris, after reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution and considering the submissions of counsel, held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court consequently convicted Marcus and sentenced him to death by hanging for the murder of the couple.
Reacting to the judgment, the FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that criminal offenders are brought to justice and residents are protected.
“The FCT Police Command reassures residents of the Federal Capital Territory of its firm commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
Marcus was arrested shortly after the killings in April 2024 following a manhunt that led police operatives to Obajana, Kogi State.
During a police parade after his arrest, he claimed he had worked for the couple for about 10 years and alleged that he committed the crime due to what he described as ill-treatment and inadequate remuneration despite combining his duties as a mechanic and driver.
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