- Acquittal: A High Court in South Africa’s Eastern Cape division has acquitted Timothy Omotoso, a Nigerian televangelist, of rape charges after an eight-year-long trial.
- Charges: Omotoso faced a 32-count charge that included human trafficking and raping young women from his church.
- Lack of Evidence: The court’s decision was based on the state prosecutor’s failure to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
- Deportation: Following the acquittal, Omotoso is expected to be deported to Nigeria.
A High Court in South Africa’s Eastern Cape division has acquitted Timothy Omotoso, a Nigerian televangelist, of rape charges after an eight-year-long trial. Omotoso, senior pastor of the Jesus Dominion International in Durban, was accused of raping young women from his church and faced a 32-count charge that included human trafficking.
The court’s decision was based on the state prosecutor’s failure to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, according to trial judge Irma Schoeman. Omotoso’s co-defendants, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were also acquitted.
Omotoso’s arrest in April 2017 sparked widespread attention, and his trial was closely watched. The acquittal has raised questions about the handling of the case, with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stating that former prosecutors acted improperly and that the accused were not sufficiently cross-examined.
Following the acquittal, Omotoso is expected to be deported to Nigeria. His acquittal marks the end of a long and dramatic trial that highlighted concerns about sexual violence and the justice system in South Africa.
