The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reportedly outsmarted Pastor Ezekiel Odera to freezing his 28 bank and mobile money accounts on Monday, May 8.
According to his lawyers, the defendant was caught unawares. The DCI team probing the matter rushed to a Nairobi Magistrate Court to file an application to bar the controversial pastor from accessing his millions.
By the time, his lawyers, led by Danstan Omar and Cliff Ombeta, moved to counter the directive, DCI had allegedly obtained orders to freeze the accounts.
"As we were here in Kilifi, DCI rushed to Milimani Magistrates Court in Nairobi, and they told the magistrate that we have some accounts here which should be closed," lawyer Danstan Omari stated.
Danstan faulted the move arguing that the matter ought to have been filed in Mombasa or Kilifi since Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts are all based in the Coastal region.
"All those accounts are here in Mombasa, he doesn't have an account based in Nairobi. We really do not understand why they opted to move to Milimani magistrates court yet the accounts are here in Mombasa," Danstan lamented.
According to his lawyers, the directive also targeted his wife's accounts and those managed by New Life Church over money laundering claims.
Following the directive, the state froze Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts for 30 days to allow an investigation into money laundering claims.
"It is necessary and desirable to issue the applicant with a warrant to investigate books of bank and mobile money services accounts to authorise 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 Pastor was released on Thursday, May 4, after Shanzu Law Courts directed him to pay Ksh1.5 million bail. The Pastor was arrested on allegations of being Pastor Paul Mackenzie's accomplice in the Shakahola massacre.
Ezekiel, however, refused the claims before the court. He was, however, barred from commenting on the investigations around the deaths and to present himself at the DCI once a week.
