Safaricom risks being cited for contempt over Ezekiel’s M-Pesa details
By Nancy.Gitonga, May 23, 2023
A Safaricom manager has been ordered to appear in court next Tuesday for declining to allow police to investigate seven M-Pesa lines belonging to controversial Pastor Ezekiel Odero who is suspected of money laundering.
Milimani Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi yesterday issued the orders after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) informed the court that Safaricom had failed to comply with the orders of the court to disclose the statements of the M-Pesa transactions for the lines of the pastor and his church.
“I hereby summon Legal Manager Safaricom to appear in person before this court on May 30, 2023 to explain why they can not be cited for contempt for disobeying this court orders,” Ekhubi ruled.
The DCI on May 8 obtained orders compelling Safaricom and five banks to supply account transactions of Pastor Ezekiel (pictured) and his New Life Church and Kilifi International School.
Through Chief Inspector Martin Munene, the DCI sought summons claiming Safaricom was yet to comply with the orders even after it was officially served with a court order to allow them access to the books accounts of the M-Pesa lines belonging to Ezekiel.
“Despite being served with the orders on May 8, 2023, the telecommunication company has not complied with the orders of this court nor appeared before this court to give reasons for non- compliance,” Inspector Munene told the court under oath.
He, however, sought summons to be issued against Safaricom legal manager to explain the reasons why they have dishonored the court’s directions.
Munene further sought to have the orders freezing the seven M-Pesa lines under money laundering investigations extended for another seven days to allow them complete investigations.
The court heard that DCI detectives are investigating Ezekiel for serious crimes including money laundering.
The DPP through James Gachoka concurred with the plea by DCI to have the legal officer of the telecommunication firm compelled to appear in court to show cause why the company should not be punished for contempt of court.