Nigerian pastor and televangelist Timothy Omotoso, recently acquitted of multiple r@pe charges, has been rearrested by South African authorities for immigration-related offences, police confirmed on Saturday, May 10.
Omotoso was released in April 2025, nine years after being jailed on charges of r@pe and s£xual assault involving several young women from his congregation.
Despite describing his explanations as improbable, the court found that the prosecution had mishandled the case. As a result, the Eastern Cape High Court judge acquitted Omotoso and two of his co-accused.
Following his release, immigration officers and police apprehended the 66-year-old pastor on Saturday morning in East London, “just after church,” said Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
“He is facing charges under the Immigration Act and is expected to appear in court on Monday,” Masemola added.
Omotoso, founder of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, was first arrested in 2017 on 32 charges, including r@pe, s£xual exploitation, and human trafficking.
Several young women, some reportedly still in school at the time, testified that Omotoso handpicked them and prayed for forgiveness after each alleged assault.
In her April ruling, Judge Irma Schoeman criticised the state for failing to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to the acquittal.
