Despite his recent departure from South Africa, Nigerian televangelist and founder of Jesus Dominion International, Pastor Timothy Omotoso, remains firmly in the legal crosshairs of South African prosecutors. The country’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed it will appeal the court’s decision that acquitted Omotoso of multiple rape charges last month.
Omotoso, who was arrested in 2017 amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving young women from his Port Elizabeth congregation, was cleared of all 32 charges in April 2025. Among the accusations was a claim by one woman that she was raped by the pastor at the age of 14. Despite the high-profile nature of the trial—which became South Africa’s first live-broadcast rape case—the court ruled in Omotoso’s favor, citing insufficient evidence to proceed.
His departure from South Africa was as quiet as it was dramatic. Clad in a hoodie and sunglasses, Omotoso was spotted at OR Tambo International Airport boarding a flight to Nigeria, footage of which was aired by South Africa’s public broadcaster, SABC. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that he left voluntarily and legally, with no existing order barring him from exiting the country post-acquittal.
Also, read: 29-Year-Old Princess Opeyemi Bright Becomes UK’s Youngest Mayor, Inspiring a New Generation
However, legal battles may still lie ahead for the televangelist. In a statement issued shortly after his departure, the NPA announced it is not backing down. “We will proceed with an appeal,” the agency said, adding that Omotoso’s physical presence is not a prerequisite for filing the challenge. Should the appeal be successful, South African authorities say they will initiate extradition proceedings, citing a standing bilateral treaty with Nigeria.
The saga doesn’t end with the courtroom. Immigration authorities have now added a fresh layer to the controversy. The Department of Home Affairs recently declared Omotoso an “undesirable person,” effectively banning him from re-entering South Africa for the next five years. The classification stems from prior concerns about his immigration status—issues that became a point of public debate during and after his trial.
Omotoso, who leads a multinational ministry with branches reportedly in the UK, France, Israel, Nigeria, and several parts of South Africa, has not publicly commented since his acquittal or subsequent exit. The BBC has reached out to the NPA for further clarification on how the extradition process might unfold, given his current travel restrictions.
The case has ignited conversations across South Africa, not just about the allegations and the verdict, but also about how justice, immigration law, and public accountability intersect in high-profile legal battles involving foreign nationals. For many observers, the Omotoso case is far from over—it has simply entered a new chapter.
