Fate of State’s case against Timothy Omotoso in the balance after court reserves judgment

After years of courtroom twists, the fate of the State’s case against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso now hangs in the balance, as the high court reserves judgment.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is asking the Eastern Cape High Court to overturn Omotoso’s acquittal, saying the trial judge made serious errors in law when dismissing charges of rape and human trafficking against him earlier this year.

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Omotoso, who led the Jesus Dominion International Church in Gqeberha, was cleared in July after a marathon eight-year trial that gripped the country and drew outrage from women’s rights groups.

The court sat for much of the day on Monday, hearing arguments from both sides, with prosecutors insisting that section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Act allows them to appeal on questions of law.

The NPA told the court that the trial judge misinterpreted evidence and misapplied legal principles, an error they believe resulted in Omotoso’s acquittal.

The defence, however, argued that the State was simply trying to re-litigate a case that had already been decided, saying that finality in criminal proceedings must be respected.

Judgment has been reserved and is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.