Pastor Ezekiel Odero of New Life International Church, on Saturday, April 29, unveiled his legal council, tasked to counter the State, which accused him of terrorism, kidnapping, mass killing of followers and indoctrination of faithful.

Among Ezekiel's top legal minds were renowned Nairobi lawyers, Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta. 

After visiting  Pastor Ezekiel at Port Police Station, the two lawyers claimed that the State had no evidence linking the clergy with the Shakahola massacre, where over 100 bodies were exhumed.

"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. 

Omari and Ombeta will be deputised by Jared Magolo, who, since Thursday, April 27, has been defending the New Life Prayer Centre deacon. 

The Nairobi-based lawyers travelled to Mombasa and met Pastor Ezekiel, currently detained at Makupa Police Station. 

Their first task will be to seek Ezekiel's release on Tuesday, May 2, urging the court to reject the prosecutor's plea to detain him for 30 more days. 

 A Shanzu Law Court on Friday, April 28, ordered the police to put Ezekiel in custody after linking him to the Shakahola massacre. 

“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.  

The investigators claimed that several followers of Pastor Ezekiel's ministry were believed to have met their death in their quest for divine intervention.

Financial transactions totalling ksh3 million were traced between the deacon and controversial pastor, Paul Mackenzie, also accused of aiding individuals to kill themselves, terrorism and radicalisation. 

"The respondent (Pastor Ezekiel) runs Times Television, which investigations have revealed he paid Ksh500,000 as part payment for its purchase from Mackenzie, who is currently under probe in matters connected to the Shakahola massacre of innocent and vulnerable Kenyans,” State Counsels Jami Yamina and Peter Kiprop stated while appearing before Shanzu Chief Magistrate Joe Omido.

“There is credible evidence linking the bodies exhumed from the 800 acres situated in Shakahola, associated with Mackenzie and his accomplices, with several innocent and vulnerable followers of his ministry believed to have met their death in their quest for divine intervention from Pastor Ezekiel, which intelligence has triggered police investigations,” Yamina added.