Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been re-arrested by South African authorities in East London just weeks after his acquittal on multiple counts of rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
The 66-year-old pastor of Jesus Dominion International was originally arrested in 2017 and had faced 32 serious charges, many involving young female congregants. His dramatic acquittal after nearly nine years of pre-trial detention shocked observers.
However, on Saturday, Omotoso was taken into custody once again—this time on immigration-related grounds. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed the arrest, which was executed at dawn by South African police and immigration officers. “The arrest is based on immigration matters,” Masemola stated, indicating that formal charges will be clarified in court on Monday.
Officials have yet to reveal the full nature of the immigration violations, but the high-profile case has reignited scrutiny of both judicial processes and foreign clerics operating within South Africa.