Tim Omotosho, a Nigerian televangelist accused of rape in South Africa not guilty on 32 charges.
This acquittal came eight years after he was jailed on accusations of raping and sexually assaulting several young women from his church.
Eastern Cape High Court judge Irma Schoeman said the prosecution had mishandled its case against Omotoso, a senior pastor at the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church based in South Africa.
Omotoso, arrested in 2017, fell to his knees and appeared to pray after the judge found him not guilty of all charges, which included sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Schoeman said that while the pastor’s explanations appeared improbable, state prosecutors had not proved beyond reasonable doubt their case against him and two assistants who also faced charges.
“The accused are found not guilty and are discharged on all the charges,” the judge ruled.
The women who testified against Omotoso said they were handpicked by the pastor, who would pray for forgiveness after each encounter with them.
