After spending eight years behind bars, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of all charges in a high-profile South African rape trial.
Omotoso, who led a church in Port Elizabeth, had denied 32 charges, including rape and human trafficking. His trial, which was broadcast live, captivated the nation.
In 2018, a witness testified that she had been raped by Omotoso when she was 14 years old. However, delivering the verdict on Wednesday, the presiding judge ruled that the prosecution had mishandled the case.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) acknowledged the failures, stating that previous prosecutors had “acted improperly” and that the accused had not been adequately cross-examined. The NPA is now reviewing its legal options.
Omotoso, who was arrested in dramatic fashion at an airport in 2017 while trying to leave South Africa, expressed gratitude for the verdict, saying he “thanked God.” His co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, were also acquitted.
The trial was the first high-profile rape case to be broadcast live in South Africa, sparking national debates on victims’ rights, judicial fairness, and the impact of televised court proceedings.
Following his acquittal, South African media outlet News24 reported that Omotoso will be deported to Nigeria.