Pastor Ng’ang’a ‘defrauded’ Sh4.5 million in church loan dispute
Neno Evangelism Ministry, the church founded by controversial preacher James Ng’ang’a, has moved to court to seek an eviction order against a defecting preacher who has renamed one of its branches.
In a sworn affidavit, the ministry claims that it gave Reverend Paul Mwangi Njogu the go ahead to obtain a Sh4.5 million loan for the purchase of the land for its Karatina branch.
Reverend Mwangi was also assisted by other branches to purchase generators, microphones and other equipment for the Karatina church.
“To enable him to effectively carry out his duties of spreading the gospel he was issued with various equipment,” said Bishop Charles Ndegwa, the ministry’s regional overseer in charge of Eastern and Central regions, in the affidavit.
He said a motor vehicle was also purchased for the Karatina church.
Reverend Mwangi changed the name of the church from Neno Evangelism Centre Karatina branch to Kingdom of God Manifestation Centre in July this year.
PASTOR NG’ANG’A’S TEACHINGS
About 100 members of the church who had accompanied Reverend Mwangi in court said they decided to split because they did not agree with Pastor Ng’ang’a’ s teachings.
The High Court in Nyeri on Thursday refused to issue a temporary eviction order against Reverend Mwangi until the matter is determined.
Justice Lucy Waithaka of the Environment and Land Court said issuing an eviction order at this point will be akin to determining the case.
“Status quo should be maintained pending determination of this case,” she ruled.
Through lawyer Cliff Oduk, the ministry also alleged that Reverend Mwangi fraudulently transferred and registered the motor vehicle under his name.
The church said despite a notice to sue, Reverend Mwangi refused to return the properties to Neno Evangelism Ministries thus rendering the suit necessary.
SURRENDER TITLE DEED
The church is seeking for an eviction order against Reverend Mwangi from the land, as well as surrender all its properties including the title deed, sound equipment, generators and motor vehicle.
The church also want an order to immediately pull down the erected signboard of the Kingdom of God Manifestation Centre from its alleged land.
Further they want a permanent injunction restraining Reverend Mwangi and his agents from “entering fencing, building, selling, developing, disposing, and transferring and or in any other way interfering with the land where the church structure stands.”
Reverend Mwangi, through his lawyer James Kihara, asked the court not to grant the orders and allow him to file his response.
The case will be heard on November 18.
