New Life International Church Pastor Ezekiel Odero has amended his suit against the State to seek compensation for the bodily, financial, reputational and emotional pains he underwent while under investigation.
In the petition filed before Justice Olga Sewe on Thursday, July 20, Pastor Ezekiel sued the Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Communications Authority of Kenya CEO Ezra Chiloba, Ministry of Interior and Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Pastor Ezekiel's Lawyers, Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombeta and Shadrack Wambui, stated that the Televangelist suffered major setbacks since the case commenced.
In particular, the deacon claimed that his dignity, freedom of religion, expression, association and right to administrative action were violated.
Lawyer Omari added that allegations against his client were unsubstantiated, scandalous and untrue. As such, he sought the costs of the petition and other reliefs the court may deem fit.
The lawyer further claimed that the State attempted to deliberately link Pastor Ezekiel to alleged cult leader Paul Mackenzie, the main suspect in the Shakahola massacre, in a bid to close his Church.
“I would wish to strongly disassociate myself from one Paul Mackenzie as we do not have any close familial or friendly ties. Moreover, my teachings, initiatives and focus in and out of the church are completely at variance with those that Mackenzie is feared to be advocating for,” Ezekiel stated through his lawyers.
Pastor Ezekiel, therefore, sought court orders barring the State from future interference with the church activities or freezing his bank accounts.
“An order of prohibition does hereby issue prohibiting the respondents either themselves or through their agents from closing or shutting down the ministry by the petitioner registered under the Societies Act in the name of New Life Center and Church or in any other manner acting in violation under article 32,33 and 36 of the Constitution,” Omari stated in an amended petition.
However, Pastor Ezekiel also withdrew his suit against the State over the closure of his church, freezing of 27 bank accounts and shutting down his media station, World Evangelism TV.
If allowed by Justice Sewe, Pastor Ezekiel will argue his case against the State, after which his lawyers will submit a Bill of Cost computing the damages as outlined by law.
Pastor Ezekiel was arraigned at Shanzu Law Court, on April 28, but has never been formally charged by the State. The deacon was released on May 4 on Ksh 1.5 million bail and barred from commenting on the Shakahola massacre.
The court also directed him to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) four times in a month.
