The trial of rape and human trafficking against Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have been rolled over for a day.
This latest development came up just as a new trial was meant to start on Tuesday before Judge Irma Schoeman in the Port Elizabeth High Court.
This, defence team prayed the court to enable them prepare arguments in the application to compel the state to provide further particulars to the charges against Pastor Omotoso, as they seek for the 97 charges against Omotosho and that of others quashed. HeraldLIVE reports.
Reacting to the plea by the defence team however, the State Advocate, Nceba Ntelwa indicated that the state would oppose the application.
The initial trial, which began in October 2018, resulted in the original presiding officer of the court, Judge Mandela Makaula, recusing himself following allegations by the pastor’s defence team that the witnesses had stayed at a guesthouse owned by his wife; the indictment before the court was not detailed enough; and the judge had not showed impartiality during the testimony of the state’s first witness, Cheryl Zondi.
The Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge had in March ruled that the trial will run its entire course, starting July 30.
Leave a Reply