Televangelist Ezekiel Odero will tomorrow know his fate over a police probe over alleged unlawful activities.
The New Life Prayer Centre and Church minister has been accused, jointly and by conspiracy, of committing the felony of murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalization, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud and money laundering, by the state.
The police investigations saw the pastor arraigned at the Shanzu courts in April with police seeking more time to conclude investigations but have since not produced their report.
Pastor Ezekiel, through his lawyer Cliff Ombeta, filed an application on Monday seeking to have the matter closed formally citing a prolonged period without formal charges and no progress report.
“A report should have been produced in court to show progress of the said investigations. But, your honour, six months down the line, no report has never been made. This matter must come to an end, your honour,” Ombeta told Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omido.
Ombeta argued Pastor Ezekiel’s rights are being infringed by the state by being indefinitely placed under probe yet he is a respected man in the society.
He accused the state of intentionally delaying the probe so as to frustrate the Pastor.
The state was to appraise the court on the application they had made to probe the man of cloth. However, the prosecution, through Anthony Musyoka, said they are yet to complete investigations and sought for more time to conclude the probe.
According to Ombeta, the state has nothing on Pastor Ezekiel but are only out to hide their blushes by not appearing in court.
“The initial application was for 30 days. But the state has been asking for more days to continue with the probe. It is now six months down the line and there is no report of the progress of the investigations. One minute on this matter is unfair to my client,” Ombeta said.
He said the Senate ad hoc committee that was investigating the Shakahola massacre has cleared Pastor Ezekiel of any wrongdoing.
Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omido said the prosecution had requested time to respond to the application by Ombeta and gave them less than 24 hours to do so.
“I give the prosecution up to tomorrow (Tuesday)Albeit reluctantly, at 2.30pm for the state to file their response upon which I will give my ruling,” Omido ruled.
