Nigerian televangelist Pastor Timothy Omotoso has been discharged and acquitted of all rape and human trafficking charges after spending eight years in custody.
The verdict, delivered by the Gqeberha High Court in South Africa, has sparked mixed reactions, with many questioning the years he spent behind bars despite being found not guilty.
Omotoso, the senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International Church, had been accused of sexually abusing young women, including gospel singers and school-aged girls.
His arrest in 2017 led to a prolonged legal battle, with his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, also facing allegations of luring victims into the church.
However, the court ruled on Wednesday that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The trial, which had faced multiple delays over the years, finally reached its conclusion with Judge Irma Schoeman delivering the judgment.
“Omotoso and his two co-accused were cleared of all charges due to insufficient evidence,” the judge ruled.
The decision meant that Omotoso, along with Sulani and Sitho, walked free after nearly a decade of legal struggles.
The case initially gained widespread attention due to its serious allegations and the involvement of young women who claimed they were abused under the pastor’s leadership.
The pastor’s prolonged detention without a guilty verdict raises concerns about wrongful imprisonment and the impact of delayed trials.
His defense had previously argued that the case should be dismissed due to weak evidence and questionable witness testimonies.
Judge Schoeman, in her ruling, acknowledged these issues, stating, “The State failed in their attempt to prove these allegations against Omotoso beyond reasonable doubt.”
Furthermore, she criticized the cross-examination process, calling it “of poor quality,” which ultimately contributed to the acquittal.
Despite the ruling, many believe the damage has already been done, as Omotoso lost years of his life behind bars without achieving anything significant.
Omotoso’s ministry, which was once a thriving evangelical movement in South Africa, suffered greatly during his incarceration.
His church in Port Elizabeth was forced to shut down after protesters surrounded the building in anger.
Additionally, reports suggest that one of the women who testified against him faced death threats, further complicating the already sensitive case.
His acquittal comes at a time when South Africa continues to battle high rates of sexual violence.
In the 2023-24 period, police recorded over 42,500 rape cases, leading many to demand stricter enforcement of justice.
However, this case has also raised questions about whether all accused individuals receive fair trials.
As Omotoso regains his freedom, the years spent in detention remain a painful reality.
For now, Omotoso must decide whether to rebuild his ministry or take a step back from public life, as the shadow of the past continues to follow him.
