Sunday May 18, 2025 |
Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been deported from South Africa, days after being acquitted of multiple rape and human trafficking charges—a ruling that sparked national outrage and fresh legal maneuvers by state prosecutors.
Omotoso, founder of the Jesus Dominion International Church (JDI), boarded a flight out of Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, according to reports from state broadcaster SABC and Newsroom Afrika.
Dressed in a grey hoodie and sunglasses, the 66-year-old pastor was seen speaking with immigration officials before his departure.
Authorities did not disclose the exact time of his flight, but South Africa’s transport ministry confirmed that Omotoso was free to leave without requiring special clearance.
His return to Nigeria comes just weeks after a Port Elizabeth court found him not guilty on 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
The decision followed nearly eight years of pretrial detention and has fueled a wave of criticism, with many accusing the justice system of failing survivors.
Reacting to the backlash, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced plans to appeal the acquittal and probe alleged misconduct by the original prosecution team.
“The NPA believes there are reasonable prospects of a successful appeal, notwithstanding the complexities of the legal process,” the authority said in a statement earlier this week.
Omotoso, who also runs JDI branches in Nigeria and Israel, was re-arrested on May 10 on immigration violations and subsequently held pending deportation.
However, a magistrate ruled on Thursday that his detention had exceeded the 48-hour legal limit without a formal charge, ordering his release.
Legal experts say the case is far from over, especially with the NPA preparing for a potential retrial.
Meanwhile, Omotoso’s departure has left many South Africans—especially survivors and women’s rights groups—frustrated by a justice system they say continues to let victims down.
