Home

Omotoso’s case postponed

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The case of the Jesus Dominion International church leader, Timothy Omotoso, has been postponed to 5 December. Omotoso appeared briefly at the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday. He faces charges of human trafficking, rape and fraud.

Omotoso has been in custody since his dramatic arrest at Port Elizabeth Airport by the Hawks earlier in 2017.

Omotoso’s brief court appearance follows two failed bail attempts.

First, Omotoso was deemed a flight risk when the state decided he had no ties to South Africa. His second bail application, based on new facts by new and prominent representatives, also yielded the same results.

It emerged that the evidence, which varied from Omotoso’s businesses ties, to his charity responsibilities, did not constitute new facts, and could have been presented on the first bail application.

Presiding officer, Thandeka Mashile, denied Omotoso bail for the second time.

On Wednesday, the court expected to hear the trial date. However, the case was postponed to allow the Department of Public Prosecution a chance to decide whether to merge Omotoso’s 22 charges of human trafficking, including counts of rape, with the newly-added five counts of fraud.

The fraud charge pertains to Omotoso’s illegal documents and investigations into this matter are still ongoing. The department will further decide on the centralisation of the case and on where the case will be heard.

Supporters of Omotoso were visible outside court, calling for his release.

The congregants continue to stand in solidarity with him, and maintain that he is innocent.

Also picketing outside court was the African National Congress Women’s League that continues to stand in solidarity with the alleged victims and is against the release of Omotoso.

Author

MOST READ