After eight years in jail, Nigerian pastor cleared of rape charges in South Africa

After spending eight years in jail, Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso has been found not guilty of all charges in a highly publicised South African trial.

Omotoso was accused of raping young women from his church in Port Elizabeth but consistently denied the 32 charges against him.

The trial, which was broadcast live, drew widespread attention across the country.

In 2018, a witness testified that she had been raped by Omotoso when she was 14 years old.

On Wednesday, the judge ruled that he was not guilty, citing prosecutorial misconduct.

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South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) echoed this assessment, stating that “former prosecutors in the case acted improperly and the accused were not sufficiently cross-examined by the state.”

The NPA also noted that the lengthy trial was partly due to Omotoso filing multiple legal challenges. It is now reviewing its legal options.

Omotoso expressed gratitude for the outcome, telling the media he thanked God for the verdict.

His co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, were also acquitted.

Omotoso was initially arrested in dramatic fashion at an airport in 2017 while attempting to leave South Africa.

His trial became the first high-profile rape case to be televised in a country grappling with high rates of sexual violence.

The case sparked national discussions on victims’ rights, judicial impartiality, and the impact of courtroom cameras on justice.

Following his acquittal, Omotoso will be deported to Nigeria, according to South African media outlet News24.

(BBC)

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