Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life Prayer Centre, on Tuesday, May 30, petitioned the court to block the Registrar of Societies from deregistering his church.
In the documents filed by his lawyers, Odero accused the state of attempting to hinder and slow down all development projects he was undertaking.
He argued that striking his church from the registrar list would be unfair, as it serves thousands of congregants.
“If you close down the church, you not closing down Ezekiel’s church but that of the people,” argued his lead lawyer, Danstan Omari.
According to the Registrar of Societies, the televangelist had failed to file his annual returns.
The government entity asked the pastor to explain why his church should not be closed down after 21 days of the notice.
However, Odero defended himself, explaining that files were missing at the registrar’s office, limiting him from filing his returns.
On May 11, 2023, the Kenya Revenue Authority documents indicated that Pastor Ezekiel’s New Life Prayer Centre and Church was compliant in filing tax returns. The document dated June 2022 added that Ezekiel’s church had settled all taxes due.
Other than fighting against the deregistration of the church, his lawyers announced plans to push the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) to reopen the televangelist’s TV station.
“We are fighting another petition before the Constitutional and Human Rights division to challenge the decision by the CA to close down the television station, which is a tool for preaching.
“The pastor does not have one account to his name. They are all under the church,” Omari added.
On Tuesday, May 23, the pastor, granted access to his bank accounts, hired more lawyers while seeking legal redress, and cautioned the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohammed against contacting him directly.
“Our client maintains his innocence and commitment to assist you in your investigations but requests that henceforth, any invitations or summons to him to do anything permissible in law should be done through and with the knowledge of his legal representatives,” read part of the document sent to the DCI.
The televangelist is under investigation for money laundering and ties with controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie among other charges.
He was released on a Ksh1.5 million bail and a surety of Ksh3 million bond, barred from making comments in public about the Shakahola massacre and presenting himself at the DCI once week.
