Pastor Timothy Omotoso Walks Free After 8 Years In Prison
After nearly a decade of legal proceedings, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have been acquitted of all charges, marking the conclusion of one of South Africa’s most closely watched trials. The Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha delivered its verdict, clearing Omotoso and his alleged recruiters, Zukiswa Sitho and Lusanda Sulani, of multiple charges, including racketeering, human trafficking, rape, and sexual assault.
Pastor Omotoso, the leader of the Jesus Dominion International Church, was accused of grooming and sexually exploiting young women, some reportedly as young as 14. The state alleged that Sitho and Sulani assisted in recruiting and trafficking victims to locations including Durban, Israel, and Nigeria, where the pastor purportedly assaulted them. The prosecution presented a case suggesting a systematic operation where the accused manipulated vulnerable young women under the guise of spiritual mentorship.
The Court’s Ruling
In delivering the ruling, Judge Irma Schoeman noted significant shortcomings in the prosecution’s approach, which she described as poorly executed. She emphasized that failing to cross-examine the accused effectively left their testimony largely unchallenged.
“Generally, the failure of the prosecutor to cross-examine an accused may be decisive, and an acquittal will likely result,” Schoeman stated. She further criticized the lack of corroborative witnesses who could have strengthened the prosecution’s case.
While the judge acknowledged inconsistencies in the defense’s testimony, she ultimately ruled that the state had not met the burden of proof required for a conviction. “In my view, the explanations of the accused are improbable, and I don’t subjectively believe them. However, due to the uncertainty caused by the prosecution’s failures, I cannot find that their versions are so improbable that they cannot reasonably be true,” she concluded.
as a result, Omotoso, Sitho, and Sulani were acquitted and discharged of all charges.
See Also: Christian Youth’s Killer Sentenced to Death in Pakistan
Pastor Omotoso’s Response
Reacting to the verdict, Omotoso expressed his relief, attributing his freedom to divine intervention. “I thank God,” he said, adding that he planned to take time to rest after spending the last eight years behind bars.
Since his arrest in April 2017, Omotoso has made multiple attempts to have the case dismissed, including a January 2023 application for Judge Schoeman to reconsider her ruling under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. That application, along with a separate bid for the judge’s recusal, was denied.
The prolonged trial, characterized by procedural delays and legal challenges, has been a source of frustration for all parties involved. Several witnesses withdrew from the case, citing exhaustion and the emotional toll of repeatedly reliving traumatic experiences in court.
The case also took a tragic turn last month when Pamela Mabini, one of the first whistleblowers to come forward against Pastor Omotoso, was shot dead outside her home in Gqeberha. Mabini had previously survived an assassination attempt in 2018. Her murder remains under investigation, raising concerns about the safety of those who speak out in high-profile sexual abuse cases.
Public Reaction and Legal Implications
The verdict has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters of Omotoso celebrating the acquittal, while advocacy groups for sexual abuse survivors have expressed disappointment. Many legal experts have pointed to the prosecution’s failings as a crucial factor in the outcome, emphasizing the need for stronger legal strategies in cases involving sexual violence.
Content Credit: Ajibola Emmanuel.
Image Credit: https://newscentral.africa/
