By Thapelo Molefe
The High Court in Gqeberha has reserved judgment in the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) application for leave to appeal the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused.
Judge Irma Schoeman, who presided over the trial in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, heard arguments on Monday from both the prosecution and defence regarding the state’s bid to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
The NPA, represented by Advocate Apla Bodlani, argued that the 2 April acquittal of Omotoso, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho was based on errors of law. Defence attorney Peter Doubermann opposed the application.
The state contends that Judge Schoeman erred when she found the accused not guilty on all 32 charges, which included counts of human trafficking, rape, and sexual assault.
According to the NPA, the ruling focused primarily on alleged procedural issues such as
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