Court okays probe on Pastor Ezekiel Odero's bank accounts

A court in Nairobi has granted permission to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate Pastor Ezekiel Odero's accounts in five banks and his MPESA account.

The investigation stems from allegations of money laundering and potential links to Pastor Paul Makenzi.

Milimani chief magistrate court granted the orders requested by investigating Officer Martin Munene, who suspects Odero of being involved in a money laundering scheme.

"It is necessary and desirable to issue the applicant with a warrant to investigate books of bank and mobile money services accounts so as to authorize the officer to have access to books relating to several account numbers," the court ruled.

Munene asked the court to direct Safaricom Kenya Limited, KCB Bank, Equity Bank, NCBA Bank, and HFC Bank, where Odero holds accounts, to comply with the directive.

He said that Odero's accounts have been receiving large amounts of money, which raises questions about the source, as he has opened several bank accounts in different banks.

"Pastor Ezekiel Odero's banks have been receiving cash transactions which money is suspected to be part of proceeds of illicit cash from victims who were radicalized to sell their properties and gave pastor Makenzi," Munene said.

Cooperative Bank, Equity Bank, KCB Bank, HFC Bank, and Safaricom are the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th respondents.

"It is necessary and desirable to issue the applicant with a warrant to investigate books of bank and mobile money services accounts so as to authorize the officer to have access to books relating to several account numbers," the court ruled.

The new directive comes days after The High Court in Mombasa certified as urgent a matter in which the embattled New Life Prayer Centre and Church Pastor sought orders to stop the government from freezing his bank accounts.

Lady Justice Olga Sewe directed Odero to file the papers to the respondents named in the petition and to appear for an inter partes hearing next week.

In his petition, Odero argued that by freezing his accounts the State is infringing on his and his congregation's freedom of worship while further noting that the threat to freeze his church's bank accounts is part of an unconventional path the State has allegedly taken to frustrate his ministry.

He also wanted the court to throw out an earlier ruling that suspended operations at World Evangelism Television, a TV station owned by the pastor.