Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been rearrested by South African authorities just weeks after he was acquitted of a slew of serious criminal charges, including rape and human trafficking.
The 66-year-old founder of Jesus Dominion International was taken into custody early Saturday morning in East London, according to a joint statement from the South African Police Service and the Department of Home Affairs. His arrest was confirmed by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, who said Omotoso was apprehended at approximately 5 a.m. as he was leaving his church.
Omotoso, originally arrested in 2017, faced 32 charges that included rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. During the trial, multiple young women testified that they were targeted by the pastor for so-called “private prayer sessions,” which allegedly led to repeated sexual abuse. Victims claimed Omotoso often told them to pray for forgiveness following the encounters.
After spending nearly nine years in pre-trial detention, Omotoso was acquitted last month, a decision that sparked widespread controversy in both South Africa and Nigeria.
Commissioner Masemola clarified that the latest arrest is unrelated to the previous criminal charges. “The arrest is based on immigration matters,” he stated. “Inspectorate immigration of the Department of Home Affairs, together with the South African Police Service and the Tactical Response Team, effected the arrest.”
Omotoso is expected to appear in court on Monday, where the specific immigration-related charges will be formally disclosed.
The case continues to draw significant public interest, especially among Nigerian and South African communities concerned about justice, cross-border accountability, and the influence of religious leaders.
