A South African High Court in the Eastern Cape has acquitted Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso of rape charges after spending eight years in detention. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to secure a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt.
Omotoso, the senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International in Durban, was arrested in April 2017 upon his arrival at a South African airport. He faced a 32-count charge, including allegations of rape and human trafficking, alongside co-defendants Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho. Several women had accused him of luring them to his residence in Umhlanga, where they claimed he sexually assaulted them.
Delivering the verdict, Judge Irma Schoeman ruled in Omotoso’s favor, citing a lack of credible evidence. Following the acquittal, News24 reported that he will be deported to Nigeria immediately.
Omotoso is also the founder of Tim Omotoso Global Outreach and the Ancient of Days Broadcasting Network. His lengthy trial drew widespread public interest in South Africa.
