Ex-Driver Sentenced To Death Over Murder Of Abuja Couple

A former driver to an elderly Abuja couple, Jonathan Marcus, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his former employers, Adebola Ezekiel, 80, and his wife, Abiodun Ezekiel.

The conviction followed the successful prosecution of the case by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, which said it secured the judgement after proving the charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

The Police command disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh.

According to the Police spokesperson, the couple was murdered on April 1, 2024, at their residence in Zone D, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, prompting an extensive police investigation.

She said the investigation led to the arrest of Marcus, who had fled the Federal Capital Territory after the incident.

“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 he committed the crime. He was subsequently arrested and brought to Abuja for further investigation,” Adeh said.

The police spokesperson disclosed that during interrogation, the convict admitted 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 1st April, 2024, where he murdered the couple,” she stated.

Marcus was arrested shortly after the killings in April 2024 after fleeing to Obajana, Kogi State.

During a police parade following his arrest, he claimed he had worked for the couple for about 10 years and alleged that he killed them because of what he described as ill-treatment by the late Mr Ezekiel.

He also alleged that he was poorly remunerated despite performing both driver and mechanic duties while working for the deceased couple.

SP Adeh further revealed that investigations showed Marcus had previously worked as the couple’s driver but was dismissed following repeated disagreements with them.

She explained that the suspect was subsequently arraigned before the FCT High Court, where the police prosecuted the matter.

“After evaluating the evidence adduced by the prosecution and hearing the submissions of counsel, Hon. Justice M. S. Idris of the FCT High Court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, the Court convicted Jonathan Marcus and sentenced him to death by hanging for the murder of Mr Adebola Ezekiel and Mrs Abiodun Ezekiel,” the statement read.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to public safety, Adeh said: “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.”