Supreme Court dismisses Omotoso application for recusal
The Supreme Court Appeal has dismissed an application by the Nigerian Pastor, Timothy Omotoso's defense team for the judge in his trial, Mandela Makaula, to recuse himself.
The National Prosecuting Authority's Tsepo Ndwalaza says they feel vindicated by the decision and are ready to proceed with the trial early next year.
"The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed the application by Omotoso's lawyers to have the judge recused and the charges quashed. As the NPA, we have been saying this all along that the defence is trying to do what we call delaying tactics but this decision makes it possible for us to continue with the case," Ndwalaza said.
Yesterday, the high court in Port Elizabeth postponed the case against the Durban-based pastor and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, and Zukiswa Sitho, until the 4th of February.
This, pending the outcome of the Bloemfontein court's decision on the application for the charges to be dropped.
The group faces 63 main charges that include human trafficking and rape.
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Omotoso and his co-accused have chosen not to plead to the charges against them.
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