Economy
Pastor Ezekiel asks the court to release 50 AD for the sake of the school and church
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Rev. Ezekiel Odero at Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa on May 02, 2023. Photo | Kevin Review | NMG
Kilifi-based preacher Ezekiel Odero has submitted a request to Milimani Court to allow him access to 50 million financial shillings in his frozen bank accounts to run the church and the international school he runs.
Odero says in the request that the freezing of more than 25 bank accounts caused “severe financial and logistical difficulties” for the operations of the New Life prayer center and church as well as Kilifi International School.
The bank accounts were frozen on May 8 by the Milimani Court following a request from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) as it investigates money laundering claims.
The freeze request will last for 30 days.
“The financial overheads for operating the New Life Prayer Center, the church and Kilifi International School cannot wait for the lapse of 30 days as directed by the Honorable Court,” Mr. Odero said in the affidavit.
Mr. Odero said through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, that the cash flow from the freeze was affecting workers and students.
Al-Khatib said the church supports more than 2,000 needy students who have withdrawn their school fees from frozen bank accounts and may miss out on paying their second term fees.
He added that the police did not provide valid reasons why the bank accounts should be frozen.
“This unfair and irrational measure constitutes an abuse of their investigative powers,” said Mr. Al Omari.
The court ordered the branch managers of the cooperative bank, NCBA, Equity, KCB, HFC and Telecom Safaricom, not to allow the transfer or withdrawal of funds for a period of one month.
“Whereas it has been established before this honorable court under oath that for the purposes of investigation of the commission of money laundering offenses in contravention of Articles 3, 4 and 7 of the Bokamla Law, it is necessary and advisable to issue the following orders,” the court ruled.
Bokamla is the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2009.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) alleged that Al-Khatib was receiving huge transactions, suspected of being the proceeds of illegal money.
Police said in the app that they suspected the money came from victims who had been radicalized and forced to sell their property and hand over the proceeds to Al-Khatib.
Police also believe Mr Odero has links to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, who is being held after more than 100 bodies were recovered from an extensive farm in Shakahola, where he runs his Good News International church.
Mr. McKenzie is under investigation for allegations of helping people kill themselves, assisted suicide, murder, kidnapping, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, cruelty to children, fraud and money laundering.
Odero denied any links or connections to Mr. Mackenzie.
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