New Life International Church Pastor, Ezekiel Odero, on Thursday, May 11, claimed that embattled Pastor Paul Mackenzie shortchanged him in a multi-million TV deal.
Through his Lawyer Cliff Ombeta, Pastor Ezekiel argued in court that he was a victim of Mackenzie's business tricks that left him Ksh500,000 poorer while trying to purchase a TV station from the preacher.
In his argument, Ombeta explained that Mackenzie lured Pastor Ezekiel into a deal in which the New Life International Church Pastor was supposed to buy the TV station at a cost of Ksh3 million.
"This is a matter that began with a mere commercial transaction since Pastor Ezekiel was looking for a TV Station. On the other hand, Mackenzie was selling one.
"Pastor Ezekiel then went to Mackenzie and after discussions, he agreed to deposit Ksh500,000. However, Mackenzie later complicated the situation and asked for more than Ksh3 million which was initially agreed upon," Ombeta explained.
The lawyer argued that after Odero paid the initial Ksh500,000, Mackenzie attempted to change the terms of the sale that saw the value of the deal balloon to Ksh5 million.
"Mackenzie then increased the cost of the transaction from Ksh3 million to Ksh5 million. In response, Pastor Ezekiel declined to continue with the transaction and told Mackenzie that he was no longer interested since he was going to get his own," Ombeta stated.
Ombeta also put the State on the defense by asking the court to ensure that the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP) is held to account for all the claims it made against the Mavueni-based Preacher.
On Friday, April 28, the Prosecution told the Shanzu Court that Pastor Ezekiel and Mackenzie were businessmen who had previously conducted deals before.
The prosecution explained that the two shared a history of business investment, particularly the TV station, which it claimed was used to radicalise followers.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations officer George Muriuki stated in his affidavit that there was suspicion that some of the victims whose bodies were exhumed from the Shakahola land had visited Pastor Ezekiel’s church for spiritual intervention.
Pastor Ezekiel Odero's lawyer, Danstan Omari, on Tuesday, May 9, also called out the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), alleging that it was frustrating his client with malicious intentions.
This was after DCI rushed to Milimani Law Courts and obtained orders to freeze Pastor Ezekiel's bank accounts in order for them to adequately investigate the money laundering case.
"While we were busy working on our case in Mombasa, the DCI went behind our backs and obtain a court order freezing the accounts of Pastor Ezekiel.
"This is an act of legal animosity which is very unnecessary since they had the option of filing the case in Mombasa where we were," Omari lamented.
