A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Jabi, has sentenced Jonathan Markus to death by hanging for the murder of his former employer, 82-year-old Ezekiel Adebola, and his wife, 67-year-old Abiodun Adebola.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Idris Mohammed, ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on witness testimonies, circumstantial evidence and a video in which Markus admitted to killing the couple.
Key Highlights:
- An FCT High Court sentenced Jonathan Markus to death by hanging.
- He was convicted of murdering his former employer and his wife.
- The court relied on witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, and a confession video.
- The couple were found dead in their Abuja home on April 1, 2024.
- Police traced one victim’s phone to Markus using a tracking device.
- Markus was arrested in Kogi State after the investigation.
The judge held that the evidence clearly established Markus’ involvement in the crime and consequently sentenced him to death by hanging under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
“The prosecution counsel, Adama Musa, has proven his case with circumstantial evidence and I invoke the provisions of Section 221 of the Penal Code and sentence Markus to death by hanging,” the judge ruled.
The prosecution told the court that on April 1, 2024, Markus allegedly broke into the couple’s residence at No. 46 Moses Adasu Close, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, armed with a jackknife, and slit the victims throats, resulting in their deaths.
According to the prosecution, the offence contravened Sections 220 (a) and (b) of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 221.
The court heard that the victims’ son, Seun Ezekiel, became alarmed after repeated calls to his parents went unanswered.
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He subsequently asked the estate’s chief security officer to gain access to the house, where the bodies of the couple were discovered lying in pools of blood with their throats slit.
Investigating police officer, Felix Peter testified that a private tracking device was used to trace one of the deceased’s mobile phones.
Investigators allegedly linked the phone to Markus after his SIM card was detected in the device, leading to his arrest in Kogi State.
Markus had previously worked as Adebola’s driver and also assisted the family with household chores when required.
