Pastor Ezekiel Odero wants Gov't barred from freezing his 15 bank accounts

The High Court in Mombasa has certified as urgent a matter in which embattled pastor Ezekiel Odero is seeking orders to stop the government from freezing 15 of 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.

"Having perused and considered the Notice of Motion dated 3rd May 2023 together with the averments set out in its Supporting Affidavit, sworn on 3rd May 2023 by Ev. Ezekiel Ombok Odero, I am satisfied that the said application is indeed urgent," Justice Sewe said in court documents seen by Citizen Digital.

"It is hereby ordered that the application be and is hereby certified urgent and the same be served forthwith on the respondents for inter partes hearing on 8th May 2023."

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.

"The operations of the church, including ongoing construction and development projects within the church premises will stand paralysed,” read court papers.

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.