63-year-old Nigerian pastor accused of rape in South Africa loses bid to stop evidence

A move by a 63-year-old Nigerian Pastor, Timothy Omotoso, and two other female assistants, Lusanda Sulani,(41) and Zikiswa Sitho, (33) in Gqeberha, South Africa to stop evidence against them in a rape and trafficking case has been dismissed by the court.

Penpushing reports that the cleric who is the General Overseer of Jesus Dominion International Church, with branches in Israel and Nigeria, and headquarters in South Africa was arrested alongside others in April 2017 over the allegations

The founder of the church and his assistants are facing 32 counts, including racketeering, trafficking in people, rape and sexual assault, but he (Omotosho) was denied bail while his two assistants, who are South Africans had since been granted bail.

Penpushing further reports that the two assistants were accused of being accomplices in the alleged crimes, and the charges against the defendants were initially 63 but later reduced to 32 after some witnesses indicated they had lost interest in pursuing the case due to delay.

The accused persons through their lawyer, Peter Daubermann, prayed the court to declare the evidence against them inadmissible, arguing that the evidence was obtained unconstitutionally, but the court dismissed the application.

Penpushing also reports that the judge, Justice Irma Schoeman, ruled that the evidence would be considered in the trial, just as the regional spokesperson of Eastern Cape’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Luxolo Tyali, explained that the decision came after previous applications by the televangelist for five special entries for a mistrial.

“Judge Irma Schoeman had previously dismissed their application for discharge, and the state was ready to proceed with the remaining proceedings in the trial, meaning that the accused must present their case and they will be subject to cross-examination by the state’, Tyali said.

Penpushing reports that he emphasized that those who accused Omotoso of rape and trafficking included members of his church, employees or people selected to participate in church activities, adding that some of the employees were recruited under the pretext that they would benefit spiritually or improve the quality of their lives.

“Omotoso allegedly, directly or indirectly through his co-accused, paid and arranged for the complainants to travel to his hotels in Durban, Israel or Nigeria. However, once the complainants arrived, Omotoso or his assistants would inform them of house rules which included that their cellphones be switched off, they were not to contact their male companions and they were to obey his instructions,” he stated.

Penpushing further reports that Tyali added that the complainants and other female church members were allegedly kept in one room where they also slept, alleging that the clergyman would allegedly select one of the complainants to go to his private bedroom, where he allegedly raped or sexually assaulted them.

The regional spokesperson of Eastern Cape’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), a South African agency responsible for the country’s prosecutions, however, said the matter has been adjourned until November 9, 2024.

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