TIMOTHY OMOTOSHO: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE REARREST NIGERIAN PASTOR CLEARED OF RAPE CHARGES
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By: Motunrayo Aniwura
South African police rearrested well-known Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotosho on Saturday, just weeks after his acquittal on multiple rape charges.
Authorities said the arrest was related to immigration violations.
Omotosho had been released last month following his imprisonment over allegations of rape and sexual assault involving several young women in his church.
Addressing journalists, police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, said Immigration authorities and police arrested Omotosho in the town of East London on Saturday morning, “just after church”.
“He will be facing charges related to violations of the Immigration Act, and he will appear in court on Monday,” the police chief said.
Also, the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber said Omotoso was arrested after rejecting his bid to overturn the department’s earlier decision to declare him a persona non grata.
”After carefully reconsidering the matter, the minister upheld the decision to declare Omotoso a prohibited person.
“To ensure compliance with the laws of the Republic, Omotoso is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, 12 May 2025, on charges of contravening provisions of the Immigration Act,” the department said.
Omotosho, 66, was first arrested in South Africa in 2017 for rape.
The pastor at the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) was tried on 32 charges ranging from rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
In April, Eastern Cape High Court judge Irma Schoeman criticised the prosecution’s handling of the case, saying the state had not proved beyond a reasonable doubt its case against Omotoso and two assistants, who also faced charges.
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