New Life International Church Pastor Ezekiel Odero on Monday, May 8, suffered a major setback in his attempt to block the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from scrutinising his bank accounts.
In a ruling that was delivered by Milimani Chief Magistrate Court, DCI officers were granted access to sixteen of Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts.
Chief Inspector Martin Munene had asked the court to probe the accounts belonging to Pastor Ezekiel over what he termed as possible illegal activities.
"It is necessary and desirable to issue the applicant with a warrant to investigate books of bank and mobile money services accounts so as to authorize the officer to have access to books relating to several account numbers," read part of the ruling.
"Whereas it has been proven to this Honourable Court on oath that for the purpose of investigation into the commission of offences Money Laundering Contrary to Section 3, 4 and 7 of POCAMLA Act No. 9 of 2009, it is necessary and desirable to issue the Applicant with a warrant to investigate books of bank and mobile money services accounts," Court so ordered.
The court also asked the bank managers to preserve the funds held therein for a period of thirty days to allow investigators to review and obtain evidence therein.
DCI had on Monday, May 1, asked the court to grant orders so that its officers may access the bank accounts.
DCI officers told the court that they were investigating suspicious activities that may lead to money laundering in relation to the six bank accounts.
In particular, the investigators were seeking orders to inspect, obtain information and demand to be supplied with certified copies of the account opening documents, bank account statements, signatories of the accounts, RTGS (swift) for the period between January 14, 2017, to April 30, 2023.
They also requested to be granted access to any other relevant document that may aid them in completing investigations on a suspected case of money laundering.
The officers also claimed that the scrutiny of the bank accounts may also reveal the link between Pastor Ezekiel and Paul Mackenzie.
"To issue an order compelling managers of the 1" and 3, 4th, 5th and 6th respondents herein to respectively nominate an authorised person(s) to record statement, make and give to the investigating officer," the DCI stated in court documents.
At the same time, Milimani Chief Magistrate Court allowed DCI investigators to review mobile money transactions on his seven lines.
While challenging the application, Pastor Ezekiel's Lawyers led by Danstan Omari, noted that DCI officers had not by evidence proved suspicious activities on the bank accounts.
"The DCI did not adduce any evidence that would demonstrate probable cause to seek unlimited access to a private citizen's bank accounts," Omari stated.
However, Omari's plea did not stop the court from granting DCI access to the six bank accounts which may demonstrate New Life International Church's financial structures.
