Controversial Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso has been dealt a blow after the Supreme Court of Appeal turned down his application to have Judge Mandela Makaula recused from the trial and the charges against him quashed.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Tsepo Ndwalaza said they feel vindicated by the decision and are ready to proceed with the trial early next year.
Ndwalaza says in a statement that State Advocate Nceba Ntelwa received a call from the Supreme Court of Appeal on Monday informing him that they'd dismissed Omotoso's application, saying there were no prospects of success in the application.
Ndwalaza said they were now back on track and ready to proceed when the Omotoso trial resumes on the 4th of February 2019.
Omotoso and his two co-accused, Zukiswa Sitho and Lusanda Solani, face a total of 63 charges which include racketeering and rape as well as 34 alternative charges.
They chose not to plead to the charges against them.
Omotoso's defense counsel Peter Daubermann has since indicated that they do not agree with the finding of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
He told AlgoaFM News that they would be proceeding with an application to the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal.
"The Constitutional Court has often overruled the Supreme Court of Appeal in the past," added Daubermann.
