Pastor Ezekiel Odero Spends Weekend in Police Custody
Evangelist Pastor Ezekiel Odero is to spend his long weekend in police custody at the port police station until Tuesday [May 2] when the court will give its ruling on an application to detain him for 30 days.
Mombasa principal magistrate Joe Omido gave the direction after prosecution filed an application asking the court to detain him for 30 days to enable the investigation team to complete its investigation with Odero’s counsel Jared Magolo opposing the application.
While giving his direction the principal magistrate said he required sufficient time to search and prepare a good ruling on the applications before the court.
He pointed out that he is unable to do it on the material day due to pressure of work.
“It’s is very unfortunate that the matter was brought before me on this material day,” he pointed out.
The principal magistrate said before a full capacity court that it is unfortunate the application was made a day before Labour day celebrations.
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Omido directed the Evangelist to be detained in police custody until a day after Labour day celebrations for a ruling to be given on the notice of motion application for Odero to be detained for 30 days to allow investigations to be carried out.
He pointed out that Pastor Ezekiel Odero will remain in police custody for the period the court has mentioned and directed.
The prosecution team is led by assistant Director of Public Prosecutions [DPP] Peter Kiprop and senior principal prosecution counsel JamI Yamina and prosecution counsel Mohamed Yasir moved to court on notice of motion application asking the court to grant them orders to detain the Evangelist for a period of 30 days for proper, fair and effective administration of justice.
They insisted upon the completion of the investigation they will submit the police file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Mohamed Haji for review.
“Our application is supported by an affidavit sworn on the grounds that Evangelist Odero is still under investigations relating to serious crimes and is jointly and by conspiracy suspected,” they pointed out.
On his part, Odero’s counsel while opposing the application to grant the 30 days detention of his client refuted claims he is against police carrying out investigations on his client.
Magolo assured the court that his client is ready to comply with the court directive while the investigation is being carried out.
He put on a brave face against the application to detain his client for 30 days arguing that a week ago his client had recorded statements with police in Kilifi county but he was never kept in police custody.
“My client is ready to comply with any court condition the court issues and directs as it dims fit,” he pointed out.
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