By Habeeb Ibrahim
Eight years after his arrest, Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of rape and human trafficking charges by a South African court.
The 66-year-old leader of Jesus Dominion International Church was taken into custody in 2017 over allegations of sexually assaulting and trafficking young women, including members of the gospel group, Grace Galaxy.
On Wednesday, the Gqeberha High Court ruled that the prosecution failed to provide enough evidence to convict him. Judge Irma Schoeman dismissed all charges against Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho.
The trial was plagued by delays due to legal hurdles and judicial recusals. During this time, Omotoso’s church in Port Elizabeth shut down amid public outrage, and reports emerged that one of the witnesses had received threats.
His acquittal comes as South Africa continues to battle high levels of sexual violence, with over 42,500 reported rape cases in 2023-24.
