Omotoso trial: Defence to file papers for leave to appeal at ConCourt

Timothy Omotoso is back in the spotlight and this time, the accused televangelist is trying, by all intents and purposes, to challenge the ruling of the judge that presides over the infamous sexual abuse and human trafficking case.

Last year, we were introduced to the pastor when he made his first appearance, alongside two of his co-accused, Zukiswa Sitho and Lusanda Sulani, at the Port Elizabeth High Court.

Read – Omotoso trial resumes: Here’s why the judge is being asked to stand down

Things have stalled since the groundbreaking testimony of Cheryl Zondi. The defence has been on a quest to have their leave of appeal granted to challenge the decision of Judge Mandela Makaula to not recuse himself.

Advocate Peter Daubermann, possibly the most despised defence attorney in South Africa, had put it to the judge that because of his suggestive inferences and perceived favouritism he had shown to Zondi, he ought to have recused himself and allow for a neutral judge to preside on the case.

Timothy Omotoso files papers for leave of appeal

Makaula shot Daubermann’s down and the defence moved on to the Supreme Court of Appeals, where the request for a leave of appeal was denied too.

Omotoso’s last-ditch effort lies ahead of him as he, according to Eyewitness News, has filed papers, requesting a leave of appeal at the Constitutional Court.

Read – Timothy Omotoso trial: Accused televangelist buys more time with ConCourt application

It is hard to fathom how the highest court on the land will ignore the considerations of the SCA and Judge Makaula and rule in the defence’s favour. However, Omotoso and his team have strode on.

Should the ConCourt deny the request, Omotoso and his co-accused will have to go through the entire trial, looking up at Judge Makaula as the man who will, in the end, decide their fate.