NPA wins leave to appeal Timothy Omotoso acquittal, case to be reheard at SCA

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured leave to appeal the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, reopening a high-profile case that ended in April 2025.

What happened

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) granted the NPA’s application for leave to appeal on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, allowing the prosecuting authority’s challenge to proceed to the appellate court. The move revives a matter that concluded with acquittals last year.

Background of the case

Omotoso, together with Lusanda Solani and Zukiswa Sitho, was acquitted in April 2025 of 32 charges, including racketeering, human trafficking, rape and sexual assault. The three had stood trial in the Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha before Judge Irma Schoeman.

After the acquittal the NPA sought further relief in the high court in October 2025, arguing that the judge erred in discharging the accused. The state then applied to the SCA to have its appeal considered.

NPA response and next steps

National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi welcomed the SCA’s decision. In a statement he said:

“The NPA’s legal prowess have, for the longest time been under scrutiny and this is an opportunity to have the full compliment of the five justices in the SCA to pronounce on the important principles of criminal law and the applicable test.”

He added:

“This is a step in the right direction in pursuit justice for the victims of GBVF.”

The NPA said the appellate court found its application to be legally sound and that the appeal can proceed in the SCA; a hearing date has not been confirmed.

Extradition and immigration status

Omotoso left South Africa for Nigeria in May 2025 after his arrest over his immigration status. The Department of Home Affairs declared him an undesirable person and imposed a five-year ban on his re-entry to South Africa. The NPA said it holds the view that, should the SCA rule in its favour on appeal, Omotoso can be successfully extradited from Nigeria into South Africa.

Allegations against the accused

The state had accused Omotoso of grooming and abusing several victims, some reported to be as young as 14. The prosecution alleged that Sitho and Solani played roles in recruiting and trafficking young women as part of the operation.

Legal history

Omotoso was arrested in April 2017 and spent years in custody during the long-running legal process. He made multiple attempts during the proceedings to have the case withdrawn or declared a mistrial, but those efforts did not succeed.