Latest news with #TimothyOmotoso
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Judge Rejects Prosecutors' Bid for Clarity in High-Profile Omotoso Case
Sifiso Mahlangu | Published 2 hours ago A case that has gripped South Africa for years, Judge Irma Schoeman has dismissed the National Prosecuting Authority's attempt to seek clarification regarding her earlier ruling that acquitted Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and two of his co-accused. The court's recent decision marks another dramatic chapter in a legal battle that has garnered national attention and sparked public debate over justice, procedure, and the rights of the accused. Earlier this year, Judge Schoeman handed down a ruling in the Eastern Cape High Court that effectively cleared Omotoso and his co-accused of charges including human trafficking and sexual assault. The April judgment stunned many observers, especially given the serious nature of the allegations. The prosecution, evidently dissatisfied with the outcome, had hoped to gain further insight into the court's reasoning before proceeding with an application for leave to appeal. However, in a decision released this week, Judge Schoeman dismissed the NPA's request. She ruled that the State is not entitled to seek clarification from the court as a precursor to filing an appeal. In her view, the law does not provide for a two-step process in such matters. Instead, the State must proceed directly with its appeal application if it believes there are grounds to challenge the verdict. Legal analysts suggest the ruling reflects a strict interpretation of procedural law. Judge Schoeman emphasised that the judgment she issued in April was comprehensive and clear enough for the State to understand the basis for the acquittal. Any further elaboration, she argued, would fall outside the bounds of what the court is required to provide post-verdict. The case itself has been fraught with delays, complications, and public scrutiny. Timothy Omotoso, a well-known figure in religious circles, was first arrested in 2017. Accused by several women of running a religious cult under the guise of ministry work, he faced charges that included sexual exploitation and trafficking. Two female co-accused were also charged in connection with the alleged crimes. Over time, the case took on national significance, with many viewing it as a test of the justice system's ability to handle cases involving powerful figures and vulnerable victims. The April acquittal was a turning point. Judge Schoeman found that the State had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify continuing the trial. The decision drew criticism from activists and some members of the public, who feared that it could discourage survivors of abuse from coming forward in future cases. Now, with the latest ruling, the NPA faces a tough decision. Without the benefit of additional judicial guidance, prosecutors must decide whether to move forward with their appeal. Legal experts caution that any appeal will have to be carefully argued, relying strictly on points of law rather than seeking to relitigate the facts of the case. As the legal process continues, the case of Timothy Omotoso remains a stark reminder of the complexities and limitations of the justice system in high-profile, emotionally charged trial
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Judge Rejects Prosecutors' Bid for Clarity in High-Profile Omotoso Case
Judge Schoeman emphasized that the judgment she issued in April was comprehensive and clear enough for the State to understand the basis for the Timothy Omotoso acquittal. Image: Raahil Sain / IOL A case that has gripped South Africa for years, Judge Irma Schoeman has dismissed the National Prosecuting Authority's attempt to seek clarification regarding her earlier ruling that acquitted Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and two of his co-accused. The court's recent decision marks another dramatic chapter in a legal battle that has garnered national attention and sparked public debate over justice, procedure, and the rights of the accused. Earlier this year, Judge Schoeman handed down a ruling in the Eastern Cape High Court that effectively cleared Omotoso and his co-accused of charges including human trafficking and sexual assault. The April judgment stunned many observers, especially given the serious nature of the allegations. The prosecution, evidently dissatisfied with the outcome, had hoped to gain further insight into the court's reasoning before proceeding with an application for leave to appeal. However, in a decision released this week, Judge Schoeman dismissed the NPA's request. She ruled that the State is not entitled to seek clarification from the court as a precursor to filing an appeal. In her view, the law does not provide for a two-step process in such matters. Instead, the State must proceed directly with its appeal application if it believes there are grounds to challenge the verdict. Legal analysts suggest the ruling reflects a strict interpretation of procedural law. Judge Schoeman emphasised that the judgment she issued in April was comprehensive and clear enough for the State to understand the basis for the acquittal. Any further elaboration, she argued, would fall outside the bounds of what the court is required to provide post-verdict. The case itself has been fraught with delays, complications, and public scrutiny. Timothy Omotoso, a well-known figure in religious circles, was first arrested in 2017. Accused by several women of running a religious cult under the guise of ministry work, he faced charges that included sexual exploitation and trafficking. Two female co-accused were also charged in connection with the alleged crimes. Over time, the case took on national significance, with many viewing it as a test of the justice system's ability to handle cases involving powerful figures and vulnerable victims. The April acquittal was a turning point. Judge Schoeman found that the State had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify continuing the trial. The decision drew criticism from activists and some members of the public, who feared that it could discourage survivors of abuse from coming forward in future cases. Now, with the latest ruling, the NPA faces a tough decision. Without the benefit of additional judicial guidance, prosecutors must decide whether to move forward with their appeal. Legal experts caution that any appeal will have to be carefully argued, relying strictly on points of law rather than seeking to relitigate the facts of the case. As the legal process continues, the case of Timothy Omotoso remains a stark reminder of the complexities and limitations of the justice system in high-profile, emotionally charged trial
eNCA
a day ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Judge dismisses NPA's request for clarification on Omotoso acquittal
NPA headquarters JOHANNESBURG - A judge has dismissed the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) request for clarification regarding the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso. The NPA wanted more insight into Judge Irma Schoeman's April ruling, which cleared Omotoso and his co-accused of sexual assault and human trafficking charges. But in her latest decision, Judge Schoeman ruled that the state is not entitled to to request clarification before filing an application for leave to appeal the acquittal.
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Court refuses to clarify Omotoso acquittal, dealing blow to NPA appeal efforts
GQEBERHA - The NPA has suffered another setback after the Gqeberha High Court refused to clarify its ruling acquitting Timothy Omotoso on rape charges. Last week, the NPA launched its first step in its appeal against the April judgment, which found it had failed to prove Omotoso's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The controversial Nigerian televangelist was arrested in 2017, facing 30 counts of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking and racketeering, over alleged crimes committed against his congregants in his church. The NPA's efforts to resurrect its failed case against Timothy Omotoso appear to be losing momentum, with the Gqeberha High Court refusing to provide additional reasons for his acquittal. Last week, the prosecution filed its first papers to appeal an April judgment that found it had failed to prove Omotoso's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, relying heavily on what the court called unreliable witnesses. Omotoso, who is now barred from entering South Africa leaving, the country for Nigeria has maintained his innocence throughout. His lawyer, Peter Dauberman, slammed the NPA's appeal as a 'desperate attempt to save face,' accusing prosecutors of wasting judicial resources and further damaging his client's reputation. He argued the state had ample time to present a strong case and that the acquittal was fully justified by the evidence. The High Court is expected to hear further arguments next Tuesday but for now, the state's case remains on shaky ground.
News24
a day ago
- Politics
- News24
NPA loses High Court bid to seek clarification on Omotoso acquittal
The Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha has dismissed an application by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for clarification on the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso. In April, Omotoso and his co-accused were acquitted on an array of charges, including rape, sexual assault and human trafficking. At the time, Judge Irma Schoeman slammed the State for failing to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The NPA had earlier indicated it might take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
