Timothy Omotosho: South African Police rearrests Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape

The South African police on Saturday rearrested popular Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotosho, weeks after he was acquitted of multiple rape charges.

Omotosho was rearrested for immigration offences by the South African police.

The Nigerian televangelist was released last month after he was jailed for raping and sexually assaulting 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.

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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.