Timothy Omotoso, a Nigerian televangelist recently acquitted of multiple rape charges has been re-arrested on immigration offences.
This was disclosed in a short video of National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, confirming the arrest on Saturday, May 10.
According to the video shared on the SAPS X handle, the Nigerian televangelist was arrested by the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Inspectorate, together with the SAPS’ National Intervention Unit (NIU) and Tactical Response Team (TRT).
General Masemola disclosed that the Senior Pastor was arrested around 5:00am on Saturday, May10, 2025, immediately after church, on charges of violation of Immigration Act.
Timothy Omotoso was released in April 25, 2025, nine years after he was jailed to be tried on charges of raping and sexually assaulting several young women from his church.
He was acquitted after Judge found that, while the pastor’s explanations appeared improbable, state prosecution had mishandled the case against him.
Following his acquittal, Immigration authorities and police arrest Omotoso in the town of East London, South Africa on Saturday morning, “just after church”, Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola told journalists. “He will be facing charges related to violations to the Immigration Act and he will appear in court on Monday”, he said.
The 66-year-old Senior Pastor at Jesus Dominion International (JDI) Church based in South Africa was arrested in 2017 on a 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Several young women, some of whom were still in school at that time, testified that they were handpicked by Pastor Omotoso, who would pray for forgiveness after each encounter with them.
In April, Eastern Cape High Court Judge Irma Schoeman criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case, saying the state had not proved beyond reasonable doubt its case against Omotoso and two assistants, who also face charges.
-9News Nigeria.
