KEY POINTS
- Timothy Omotoso was acquitted after spending eight years in a South African prison.
- The judge cited weak cross-examination and lack of evidence as reasons for the acquittal.
- South African authorities plan to deport Omotoso to Nigeria following the verdict.
After nearly eight years behind bars, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of multiple charges, including rape and human trafficking, by the High Court in the Eastern Cape division of South Africa.
Omotoso, the founder of Jesus Dominion International Church in Durban and Tim Omotoso Global Outreach, had been accused of sexually abusing several young women in his home located in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal.
According to TheCable, the allegations, which date back to 2017, led to a highly publicized arrest at a South African airport and a protracted legal battle that drew intense media attention in both South Africa and Nigeria.
Alongside Omotoso, two co-defendants — Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho — were also acquitted of the charges. The case originally involved 63 charges but was reduced to 32 counts due to delays and complications, including key witnesses withdrawing from the case.
Omotoso: Judge ruled the state failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt
In her judgment, Irma Schoeman, the presiding judge, declared that the prosecution failed to adequately cross-examine the Omotoso, significantly weakening the credibility of the state’s case.
“He (Omotoso) was not cross-examined on his denial with reference to the complainants’ testimonies. No attempt was made to elicit inconsistencies or improbabilities. The cross-examination was shallow, lacking the intention to uncover the truth,” Schoeman stated.
She also emphasized that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, noting, “It was as if cross-examination never even took place.”
Omotoso’s arrest in April 2017 sparked widespread outrage, with multiple women claiming he lured them under the guise of spiritual guidance and mentorship.
The trial, however, was repeatedly delayed due to various legal maneuvers, including constitutional challenges from the defense and requests for mistrial entries.
In January 2024, the defense applied for the judge to reconsider a previous discharge application under Section 174 of South Africa’s Criminal Procedure Act — a request which the court denied.
