After spending eight years in prison, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of all charges in a high-profile rape trial in South Africa.

Omotoso, who led a church in Port Elizabeth, had denied all 32 charges levelled against him in a case that garnered widespread attention due to its live broadcast and intense public scrutiny.

His trial began in 2018, with one of the witnesses testifying that the pastor had raped her when she was 14 years old. However, on Wednesday, the presiding judge ruled that Omotoso was not guilty, citing serious prosecutorial errors.

South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) echoed similar concerns, stating that “former prosecutors in the case acted improperly and the accused were not sufficiently cross-examined by the state.” The NPA added that it would now “consider its legal options” following the verdict. It also acknowledged that the prolonged nature of the trial was partly due to Omotoso’s multiple legal challenges over the years.

Omotoso, speaking to the media after his acquittal, expressed gratitude for the outcome, saying he thanked God for the verdict.

His co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, were also found not guilty of all charges.

Omotoso was initially arrested in dramatic fashion at an airport in 2017 as he attempted to leave South Africa. His trial became the first major rape case in the country to be televised live, sparking national conversations about sexual violence, victims’ rights, and the impact of media coverage on legal proceedings.

According to reports by South African media outlet News24, Omotoso will now be deported to Nigeria following his acquittal.