NPA boss says Omotoso's acquittal not a reflection of institution's competence
The Nigerian televangelist and two of his co accused were acquitted of 32 counts of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking and racketeering this week.
Rape-accused Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have been acquitted on all charges, including rape, racketeering, human trafficking, and assault. Picture: Sipha Kema
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)'s head, Shamila Batohi, has pleaded with the public not to form an opinion on the institution based on Timothy Omotoso’s acquittal.
The Nigerian televangelist and two of his co accused were acquitted of 32 counts of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking and racketeering this week.
In a scathing judgement, the court highlighted shallow cross-examination by prosecutors, their dishonesty, incompetence and misconduct.
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Batohi has moved to explain that when the initial complaints against the prosecutors in the Omotoso case emerged in 2021, the NPA in the Eastern Cape replaced the team.
"At that point, the NPA even brought in the external counsel in terms of Section 38 of the NPA Act, which was before that was the time of the original mistrial application. In order to advise the NPA on whether the prosecutor's conduct indeed could amount to conduct that could render a mistrial."
Amid much criticism of the institution, Batohi agrees that the buck of accountability stops with her.
"Of course, this particular matter has seriously dented the reputation of the NPA, but all I ask the public is to not let one case determine whether the NPA is able to do these cases or not."
Batohi has requested a report from the NPA in the Eastern Cape on Omotoso’s acquittal.