S’African Appeal Court Approves Bid To Overturn Timothy Omotoso’s Acquittal In Rape Case

South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) leave to appeal the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, reopening the long-running rape and human trafficking case against him.

The ruling gives prosecutors another opportunity to challenge the judgment that cleared Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, of 32 charges, including rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and racketeering.

The NPA had previously suffered a setback after the Gqeberha High Court dismissed its application for leave to appeal in April 2025.

However, the Supreme Court of Appeal has now ruled that the prosecution may proceed with its appeal against the acquittal.

Omotoso, founder and senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International (JDI) Church, was arrested in 2017 after several women linked to his church accused him of sexual abuse.

According to prosecutors, he exploited his position as a religious leader to target vulnerable young women, allegedly selecting members of his congregation and coercing them into sexual acts under the guise of spiritual guidance.

Some of the complainants were members of the Grace Galaxy gospel music group founded by Omotoso, while others were reportedly still in school when the alleged offences took place.

The prosecution further alleged that Omotoso manipulated his victims through his religious influence and often prayed for forgiveness after the alleged sexual encounters.

His defence consistently denied the allegations, insisting they were baseless and unsupported by credible evidence.

In April 2025, the Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha acquitted the 66-year-old preacher and his two co-accused, ending what appeared to be an eight-year legal battle.

Delivering the judgment, Judge Irma Schoeman ruled that the state had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Although she described some of Omotoso’s explanations as “improbable,” the judge criticised the prosecution’s handling of the matter and held that the evidence presented did not meet the threshold required for a criminal conviction.

The verdict drew widespread criticism from victims’ rights organisations and civil society groups, many of which argued that justice had not been served.

Following the acquittal, the NPA pledged to challenge the ruling and also launched an internal investigation into the conduct of the prosecutors who handled the case.

Omotoso’s legal troubles continued after the acquittal.

In May 2025, he was re-arrested on immigration-related charges and appeared before the East London Magistrate’s Court.

He was later released after the court ruled that officials of the Department of Home Affairs failed to follow the proper legal procedures during his arrest.

He subsequently left South Africa for Nigeria after spending about eight years in custody while facing allegations of human trafficking, sexual assault and restricting the movement of members of his church.

South African authorities later deported Omotoso and declared him an undesirable person, barring him from returning to the country for five years.

Department of Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said that after the five-year ban expires, Omotoso would be required to apply for permission before he can re-enter South Africa.

“After the expiry of that period, he will have to apply for permission to be in the country. At that point, the department will look at the information and motivation provided to make a decision,” Qoza said.

He added, “The department does not comment on people’s travel arrangements but confirms travelling within the African continent.”

With the latest ruling of the Supreme Court of Appeal, prosecutors will now have the opportunity to argue that Omotoso’s acquittal should be overturned, potentially reviving criminal proceedings against him and his two co-accused.