Dennis Osadebe
Next spending 8 years in prison, a Nigerian televangelist accused of raping younger girls from his South African church has been discovered now not in charge of all fees.
Timothy Omotoso had denied the 32 fees in a tribulation that was once broadcast reside and received plenty passion around the nation.
In 2018, one eyewitness instructed the court docket she were raped by way of the pastor – who ran a church within the town of Port Elizabeth – when she was once 14 years worn.
When handing over the decision on Wednesday, the pass judgement on presiding over the trial mentioned that Mr Omotoso were discovered now not in charge as a result of prosecutors had mishandled the case.
South Africa’s Nationwide Prosecuting Authority (NPA) shared a related evaluate, announcing that “former prosecutors in the case acted improperly and the accused were not sufficiently cross-examined by the state”.
The NPA mentioned it’ll now “consider its legal options”.
For his phase, Mr Omotoso instructed the media he thanked God for the decision.
Hello co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, have been additionally discovered now not in charge.
Mr Omotoso was once dramatically arrested at an airport in 2017 as he desired to let go the rustic.
His trial was once the primary rape case to be broadcast reside in a rustic the place sexual violence is rampant.
The hearings attracted plenty passion, and raised tough questions on sufferers’ rights, impartiality and whether or not justice is perfect served by way of having tv cameras in courtrooms.
Following Wednesday’s verdict, Mr Omotoso will likely be deported to Nigeria, South African media outlet News24 reported.
