On Saturday, April 29, Pastor Ezekiel Odero of the New Life International Church introduced his legal team, charged with defending him against the State’s accusations of terrorism, kidnapping, mass murder of adherents, and indoctrination of the faithful.

Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta, two well-known Nairobi attorneys, were among Ezekiel’s best legal wits.

“Only 15 People have died in the Church since it started more than a year ago. Our client is not linked to the deaths of persons in Shakahola,” Ombeta told journalists.

The two attorneys asserted that the State had no proof connecting the clergy with the Shakahola massacre, when more than 100 bodies were exhumed, after seeing Pastor Ezekiel at Port Police Station.

Jared Magolo, who has been defending the deacon of the New Life Prayer Center since Thursday, April 27, will fill in for Omari and Ombeta.

The attorneys from Nairobi went to Mombasa to meet Pastor Ezekiel, who is now being held at Makupa Police Station.

“Police have collected several burial permits that were issued to several individuals whose names and telephone numbers have been disclosed in these records,” read court papers.

On Tuesday, May 2, they will attempt to have Ezekiel released by requesting that the court reject the prosecutor’s request to keep him in custody for an additional 30 days.

Ezekiel was taken into custody by the police on Friday, April 28, after a Shanzu Law Court ordered it after connecting him to the Shakahola tragedy.

The deacon and controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is also suspected of helping people in killing themselves, terrorism, and radicalization, were linked to financial transactions totaling Ksh3 million.