The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has sentenced a former driver, Jonathan Marcus, to death by hanging for the murder of an 80-year-old man, Mr. Adebola Ezekiel, and his wife, Mrs. Abiodun Ezekiel, at their residence in the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
According to a statement signed by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the conviction followed the successful prosecution of the case by the FCT Police Command, which announced the judgment in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.
According to the statement, the couple was brutally murdered on April 1, 2024, at their home in Zone D, Apo Legislative Quarters, prompting an intensive police investigation.
The Command said investigations led to the arrest of Marcus, who had previously worked as the couple’s driver before he was dismissed over repeated disagreements with his employers.
Police disclosed that after committing the crime, the suspect fled Abuja and went into hiding in Obajana, Kogi State, where he was tracked down, arrested and returned to the Federal Capital Territory for further investigation.
During interrogation, Marcus reportedly confessed to entering the victims’ residence at about 11 p.m. on the night of April 1, 2024, and killing the elderly couple.
Following the conclusion of investigations, the suspect was arraigned before the FCT High Court, where the Police prosecuted the case.
Delivering judgment, Justice M. S. Idris held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted Marcus for the double murder.
The court thereafter sentenced the convict to death by hanging.
Reacting to the judgment, the FCT Police Command described the conviction as a significant milestone in its efforts to ensure justice for victims of violent crimes.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory and vowed to continue pursuing and bringing criminal offenders to justice in accordance with the law.
