Pastor James Ng'ang'a Moves to Court to Stop His Impending Prosecution over Sh3.6 Million Rent Arrears

Televangelist James Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism has moved to court seeking to stop his impending prosecution over refusal to settle rent arrears totaling to Sh3.6 million.

In his application, Ng’ang’a argues that the criminal investigations against him over nonpayment of the arrears are purely based on a business transaction, which should be classified as a civil suit.

The clergyman further submits that the intended prosecution against him is a violation of his fundamental right to fair trial.

He also says it contravenes his right for fair administrative action and that it amounts to an abuse of the legal process.

Ng’ang’a has listed businessman Wickson Njoroge Mwathi, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as respondents in the case.

He wants the court to stop the State from charging him pending the hearing and determination of his petition.

He accuses the respondents of subjecting to “untold mental and psychological anguish and torture.” 

He also claims that the IG, DPP and the DCI are depriving him of his freedom and security.

He terms the acts by the respondents as an attempt to unlawfully force him to pay the Sh3.6 million to Mwathi as a lease agreement for a seven-bedroom house in Nairobi's Karen Estate.

“The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents have instituted criminal investigations and intend to prosecute the petitioner on Tuesday in respect to a complaint lodged by the 1st respondents which are purely a civil matter arising out of a lease agreement on L.R No.7792/25&7792/26 Karen, Nairobi, entered into on April 6, 2016,” Ng’ang’a says in court papers.

Ng’ang’a was arrested at his home on Thursday and was released on police bond on Friday morning after spending the night in police cells.