Court dismisses case against Pastor Ezekiel, orders return of Sh1.5m bail

The verdict was celebrated by Pastor Ezekiel's followers.

In Summary
  • Ezekiel, through his lawyer Cliff Ombeta, on Monday applied to have the matter in which he was being investigated for an array of accusations, closed.
  • Ombeta cited a prolonged period without formal charges and no progress report.
Pastor Ezekiel Odero answers questions when he appeared before the Ad Hoc Senate Committee investigating Shakahola deaths on October 13, 2023
Pastor Ezekiel Odero answers questions when he appeared before the Ad Hoc Senate Committee investigating Shakahola deaths on October 13, 2023
Image: FILE

There were tears of joy from Pastor Ezekiel Odero's followers after a Shanzu court set him free on Tuesday.

The Court directed that his Sh 1.5m cash bail be returned.

Ezekiel, through his lawyer Cliff Ombeta, on Monday applied to have the matter in which he was being investigated for an array of accusations, closed.

Ombeta cited a prolonged period without formal charges and no progress report.

On Tuesday, Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omido discharged Ezekiel after the DPP ordered the case closed following what he called the completion of investigations.

Omido said having considered both the prosecution and the defence applications, he had no choice but to discharge Ezekiel.

The DPP had filed a response to an application by Ombeta that the case be closed.

The DPP indicated that police had completed their investigations and that through their recommendations, the file should be closed.

He had been accused, jointly and by conspiracy, of committing murder, aiding suicide, abduction, radicalisation, genocide, crimes against humanity, child cruelty, fraud and money laundering.

Police investigators first arraigned the pastor at the Shanzu court in late April.

They have since then been seeking more days to conduct investigations but have never produced a report on the same.

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