In this article we will explain the details and reasons for Pastor Ezekiel’s arrest, as well as provide updates on the arrest.
Is Pastor Ezekiel Arrested?
The court scheduled the hearing of Pastor Ezekiel Oro’s case for May 4, which has resulted in a two-day extension to his detention. The police requested a 30-day period of detention for investigative purposes. However, the court only permitted a seven-day detention. Joe Omido, Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrates Joe has ordered the matter to be discussed on May 4.
Reports on April 27 stated that Ezekiel Oreo, a Christian Teleevangelist in Kenya, would be charged with the “mass murder of his followers.” The news comes just a few days after 103 bodies were discovered in a mass grave near another church.
Odero, the head of New Life Prayer Centre & Church, is being held in custody pending legal proceedings. Kithure Kindiki, Interior Minister, made the statement.
Why was Pastor Ezekiel arrested?
Kenyan authorities detained and closed a well-known Kenyan televangelist’s church along the Indian Ocean coast in response to mass murder claims. The police haven’t yet officially linked the two cases but investigations into the religious cult linked to almost 100 deaths are still underway.
Pastor Ezekiel Oreo, who is known for attracting large audiences to his events, was arrested after police searched the funeral home next to his church, where workers were removing corpses. The pastor is due to appear before a court on Friday, but has yet to respond to the allegations. Authorities are also investigating his purported links to controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie Nthenge.
Is Pastor Ezekiel Released Today?
A court in Mombasa, Shanzu, denied Pastor Ezekiel Oro bail. He is under investigation for his alleged involvement with the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi. Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Amido, of the Shanzu Law Courts, granted the prosecution until the May 4, 2023 to complete their investigation and ordered that the case be discussed on that date.
Amido ordered that Odero be held for seven days starting on the day he was arrested, April 27. He cited concerns that the pastor’s perceived influence might interfere with witnesses. He deemed that 30 days was an excessive amount of time to be detained. Odero was represented in court by Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta.
Pastor Ezekiel released today
He filed a petition at the High Court to stop a magistrate from deciding if Pastor Ezekiel Oro should be imprisoned for thirty days. He wants the decision overturned, and for his immediate release. Pastor Ezekiel is defending New Life Prayer Centre Church and says that the accusations made against him are political and he does not have any connection with Pastor Paul Mackenzie.
He also denies that he owns a mortuary in his area of ministry and that he ever brought cadavers there. The preacher denies reports that he purchased a TV station from Mackenzie, and insists that he has no connection to him. In his declaration, he claims that he started his ministry.