New Life International Church Pastor on Monday, May 15, suffered another legal setback after Mombasa High Court declined to unfreeze his 16 bank accounts under investigation.
In the ruling, High Court Judge Olga Sewe noted that Pastor Ezekiel's applications were misconceived, as such, she technically refrained from commenting on the correctness and legality of the orders issued by Milimani Magistrate Court in Nairobi.
At the same time, Judge Sewe dismissed an application in which Pastor Ezekiel was seeking an order to have his TV station back on the air.
Judge Sewe advised Pastor Ezekiel and his lawyers to exhaust all the legal channels with Communication Authority before coming to court.
On Wednesday, May 3, Pastor Ezekiel moved to the High Court in Mombasa seeking conservatory orders to prevent the government from freezing over 15 personal and church bank accounts.
In response to Pastor Ezekiel's petition, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Thursday, May 11, 2023, opposed the reopening of the bank accounts belonging to the New Life International Pastor.
Senior Assistant DPP Virgina Kariuki told the court that unfreezing the accounts would jeopardise investigations into suspected money laundering activities by the pastor.
While appearing before Milimani Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi, ODPP noted that investigators were making considerable leads after reviewing his mobile money lines and the accounts.
At the time, the ODPP claimed that they were not aware of a matter that Pastor Ezekiel had lodged at the High Court in Mombasa.
"We want to know the source of the funds. That is why we are here. The judge stated that the ruling will be issued on Monday. We were not aware they had moved to Shanzu court," Virginia stated.
This was after Pastor Ezekiel's Lawyers Danstan Omari, Sam Nyaberi and Cliff Ombeta, protested against the DPP application which was made without due regard to an ongoing matter that was active at Mombasa High Court.
Omari told the court that the current freeze orders had grounded the operations of the New Life Church and Kilifi International School which supported over 3000 children.
Meanwhile, President Ruto on Sunday, May 14, reiterated that he will not backdown from supporting the task force which he formed to review regulations governing religious organisations and a commission of inquiry into the Shakahola killings.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Secretary-General Mutava Musyimi's 14-member task force will review applicable laws to ensure that Churches become safe places of worship, devoid of misleading doctrines.
President Ruto's sentiments were supported by other leaders like Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri who observed that some religious leaders had taken advantage of inadequate oversight to spread falsehood in the name of preaching.
"We must all support President William Ruto in getting to the bottom of this tragedy. Residents, religious denominations and survivors must volunteer credible information leading to the extermination of those who use religion and the name of God to kill, destroy families, societies and untold grief.
"They are no less than terrorists who kill for thrill. The Commission of Inquiry must give watertight recommendations on how the church should be regulated," Okenyuri supported Ruto's stand.
