The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has secured the conviction and death sentence of Jonathan Marcus, a former driver to an elderly Abuja couple, for the gruesome murder of his ex-employers, Mr. Adebola Ezekiel, 80, and his wife, Mrs. Abiodun Ezekiel.
The judgment was delivered by Justice M. S. Idris of the FCT High Court, who sentenced Marcus to death by hanging after finding him guilty of the double murder.
The victims were killed on April 1, 2024, at their residence in Zone D, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
Announcing the development in a statement on Wednesday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the conviction followed painstaking investigations and diligent prosecution by the Command.
According to her, immediately after the incident, detectives launched an extensive investigation which led to the suspect being tracked to Obajana, Kogi State, where he had gone into hiding after committing the crime.
“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,” the statement read.
Police disclosed that during interrogation, Marcus confessed to gaining access to the victims’ residence at about 11 p.m. on the day of the incident before murdering the couple.
Investigations further revealed that the convict had previously worked as the couple’s driver but was dismissed following repeated disagreements with his employers.
The suspect was subsequently arraigned before the FCT High Court, where prosecutors presented evidence linking him to the crime.
After reviewing the evidence and hearing submissions from counsel, Justice Idris held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted Marcus, sentencing him to death by hanging for the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel.
The FCT Police Command described the judgment as another demonstration of its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.
The Command also reassured residents of the Federal Capital Territory of its unwavering resolve to protect lives and property while sustaining efforts to ensure that criminals face the full weight of the law.
