Timothy Omotoso had denied the 32 charges in a trial that was broadcast live and gained huge interest across the country.
BBC
Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of all rape charges after spending eight years in South African jail. Omotoso, who faced accusations of raping young women from his Port Elizabeth-based church, denied the 32 charges during a highly publicized trial. One witness had testified that Omotoso raped her when she was 14 years old.
On Wednesday, the judge presiding over the trial found Omotoso not guilty, citing mishandling of the case by prosecutors. South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) echoed this, criticizing the “improper” actions of former prosecutors and stating that the accused were inadequately cross-examined. The drawn-out trial was partly due to Omotoso filing numerous legal challenges.