Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso rearrested in South Africa weeks after acquittal
By Jeffrey Agbo
Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been rearrested by South African authorities just weeks after being acquitted of multiple rape and human trafficking charges.
According to confirmations from the South African Police Service and the Department of Home Affairs, Omotoso was taken into custody early Saturday in East London.
The 66-year-old pastor of Jesus Dominion International, based in South Africa, was first arrested in 2017 and faced 32 serious charges, including rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Several young women, some still in school at the time, had testified that Omotoso selected them for private encounters, often praying for forgiveness afterward.
Despite spending nine years in jail during a protracted trial process, Omotoso was acquitted last month of all 32 charges.
His recent arrest, however, is not related to those criminal allegations. South Africa’s National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, stated that the latest arrest stems from immigration violations.
“Well, I know it’s Omotoso. He was arrested this morning around 5 o’clock in East London as he was finishing the church,” Masemola confirmed. “Inspectorate immigration of the Department of Home Affairs, together with the South African Police Service and TRT (Tactical Response Team), did effect the arrest.”
“The arrest is based on immigration matters. He will appear in court somewhere around Monday, and everybody will know exactly what charges he’s facing. But it’s immigration-related matters,” Masemola added.
