Timothy Omotoso: South African Court Acquits Nigerian Televangelist, 2 Others of Sexual Assault

• The High Court in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, has delivered its final judgement on allegations against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and two others
• Pastor Omotoso and his two co-accused were acquitted of alleged racketeering, trafficking in persons
• On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Judge Irma Schoeman gave reason for acquitting Omotoso and the two females

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international

Cape Town, South Africa - Popular Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have been acquitted of alleged racketeering, trafficking in persons, defilement, and sexual assault.

The High Court in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape in South Africa, acquitted Omotoso and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, 33, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Omotoso and the two females have been on trial for around eight years.

As reported by IOL, Omotoso is the leader of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, and his co-accused were his assistants.

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Judge Irma Schoeman took hours detailing evidence from the State, the complainants, and the defence.

Delivering the judgement, Judge Schoeman said:

"I am of the view that although there are aspects of the complainants that are unsatisfactory, I cannot find that their evidence is incredible. However, I cannot find that the evidence of the accused falls to be rejected as false either."

Schoeman added that the evidence of the defence was not properly tested with a fitting cross-examination by the prosecution.

According to BBC, in 2018, one witness told the court Pastor Omotoso raped her when she was 14 years old.

Omotoso had denied the 32 charges in a trial that was broadcast live and gained huge interest across the country.

The judge ruled that Pastor Omotoso had been found not guilty because prosecutors had mishandled the case.

Pastor Omotoso, who was dramatically arrested at an airport in 2017 as he sought to leave the country thanked God for the verdict for acquitting him.

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Following the court's verdict, Pastor Omotoso will reportedly be deported to Nigeria.

Source: Legit.ng