Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso Found Not Guilty in South African Rape Trial
Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of all charges after spending eight years in a South African prison. A high-profile figure, Omotoso was accused of raping several young women from his church in Port Elizabeth—a case that gripped the nation and was broadcast live in court.
Omotoso had been facing 32 serious charges, including rape, which he consistently denied. The most prominent accusation came from a woman who testified in 2018, claiming she was raped at the age of 14.
However, in a ruling delivered on Wednesday, the judge dismissed all charges against Omotoso, citing serious prosecutorial failings. According to South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), earlier state prosecutors mishandled the case and failed to properly cross-examine the accused.
The NPA acknowledged the flaws and stated it would review its legal options moving forward. The prolonged nature of the trial was also attributed to Omotoso filing numerous legal objections over the years.
Omotoso’s co-accused—Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho—were also cleared of wrongdoing.
Following the verdict, Omotoso expressed gratitude, saying he “thanked God” for the outcome. His arrest in 2017 at a South African airport was dramatic and widely publicized.
This case was South Africa’s first rape trial to be televised live, raising widespread debate about the role of media in sensitive court cases. While it helped shine a light on the country’s struggle with gender-based violence, it also sparked questions about victim privacy and courtroom fairness.
Now cleared of all charges, Omotoso is expected to be deported back to Nigeria, according to reports from South African media outlet News24.
