Judgment reserved as NPA seeks to appeal Timothy Omotoso acquittal

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) does not understand the judgment that saw Timothy Omotoso acquitted, his lawyer told the Gqeberha High Court yesterday.

- BRANDON NEL [e-mail]

Almost seven months after the Nigerian pastor and his co-accused were acquitted of 63 charges, including rape, human trafficking and racketeering, the prosecution is seeking to overturn the verdict.

The state approached the court seeking leave to appeal the acquittal to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.

Before the case can go to the Supreme Court of Appeal, the NPA first has to get the high court's permission.

Defence lawyer Peter Daubermann said the application was based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the verdict and of what counts as a factual finding in law.

Judgment in the state's application was reserved. Omotoso, the former televangelist who led the Jesus Dominion International Church, and his co-accused Lusanda Solani and Zukiswa Sitho were acquitted in April.

The women who brought the charges alleged sexual abuse under the guise of religious mentorship. Judge Irma Schoeman ruled the state had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and found several key witnesses unreliable.