Tuesday, May 16, 2023 –Pastor Ezekiel Odero now wants the court to grant him an access to at least sh 50 million church money still withheld in his frozen bank accounts.
Appearing through his lawyers Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta, the New Life Prayer Center and Church owner pleaded with the Milimani Law Court in Nairobi to allow him to withdraw only sh 50M.
Odero whose multiple bank accounts were frozen a couple of weeks ago, wants to be allowed to make the sh 50M withdrawal; citing lack of finances to fund his daily activities in the church, personal and to pay lawyers he hired for the ongoing legal services.
Homenews.co.ke obtained a 9-page application duly signed by lawyer Danstan Omari citing extreme frustrations and pain which the pastor has endured since his accounts were locked by authorities.
This, according to the lawyers, had halted operations at both Kilifi International School as well his New Life Prayer Center and Church based in Kilifi County.
In the application, Pastor Ezekiel argues that the 30-day freezing orders were not fair to both himself and the people he serves and, therefore, wants the days reviewed downwards to only 15 days.
For the many employees in both his ministry and school, all have basic needs to settle and the 30 days had subjected them to too much pain and anguish.
The pastor also says that there are so many disadvantaged persons who depend on him at the church; and this situation had affected people outside his nuclear family who could quickly lose hope and harm themselves.
“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.
Pastor Ezekiel, further, indicated that he supports over 2,000 needy students who drew their school fees from the frozen accounts.
“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 application further stated.
Should this prayer not sail through, Lawyer Omari told the court that the Pastor will suffer a huge loss despite the fact that he is yet to be found guilty and convicted for any wrong doing.
