Judiciary hands down capital punishment to former chauffeur for killing elderly Abuja pair

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The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has secured the conviction and death sentence of Jonathan Marcus, a former driver to an elderly couple, for the murder of his former employers, Mr Adebola Ezekiel, 80, and his wife, Mrs Abiodun Ezekiel, at their residence in Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.

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The command disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh.

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According to the police, Marcus was convicted by the FCT High Court after the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that he murdered the couple on April 1, 2024.

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Adeh said the incident occurred at the victims’ residence in Zone D, Apo Legislative Quarters, and was followed by an extensive investigation that led to the suspect’s arrest.

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She said, “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.”

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The police spokesperson said the suspect confessed during interrogation to carrying out the killings after gaining access to the couple’s residence late at night.

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“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 said.

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

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She said the suspect was arraigned before the FCT High Court, where the police prosecuted the case.

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“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 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.

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The police reiterated their commitment to ensuring that criminal offenders are brought to justice.

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“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,” Adeh added.

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

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During his parade by the police, he claimed he had worked for the couple for about 10 years and blamed the killings on alleged ill-treatment by the late Ezekiel.

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He alleged that he was not adequately paid despite combining his work as a mechanic with driving the couple.

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