Pastor Ezekiel Odero on Monday, May 15, sought the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi to withdraw Ksh50 million from his multiple frozen bank accounts.
In a nine-page application signed by his advocate Danstan Omari and obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the pastor noted that the order caused extreme financial and logistical difficulties in running the operations of the Kilifi International School and his New Life Prayer Centre Church.
Pastor Ezekiel also sought the court to review its orders freezing his bank accounts from 30 days to 15 days.
To make his case, the pastor argued that employees in his ministry and school could not wait for the 30 days to lapse as directed by the court orders on May 8, arguing that their livelihoods depended on it.
He pointed out that the funds in the bank accounts offered a lifeline for numerous disadvantaged people whom he supported through his ministry.
The pastor further indicated that he supported over 2,000 needy students who drew their school fees from the accounts. He added that the withdrawal of the funds was primarily to safeguard the interests of the children and guarantee their access to education.
"The cash flow issues occasioned by the freezing of the Applicant’s accounts are causing a negative impact on the workers and students associated with New Life Prayer Centre and Kilifi International School."
"The bank accounts serve as a lifeline for numerous disadvantaged individuals, and the act of closing them would unduly burden these individuals, condemning them to endure significant hardships and struggles," the statement read in part.
Omari noted that pastor Ezekiel stood to suffer immense loss if his plea is not granted. He added that the pastor sought an opportunity to ventilate his grievances in court at the earliest opportune moment.
Pastor Ezekiel added that he was not connected to Pastor Paul Mackenzie's operations as alleged - wondering why an order was warranted to freeze his accounts.
The pastor's accounts were frozen after the courts granted orders for Chief Inspector Martin Munene to access 16 bank accounts linked to Ezekiel.
At the same time, the court allowed DCI investigators to review mobile money transactions on his seven lines.
