Breaking: Controversial Nigerian Pastor Re-arrested In South Africa

Nigerian pastor and televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, has been rearrested in South Africa—just weeks after his controversial acquittal on multiple rape and human trafficking charges—this time for alleged immigration violations.

The 66-year-old founder of Jesus Dominion International (JDI) was taken into custody on Saturday morning in East London by South African police and immigration officers shortly after concluding a church service.

His rearrest comes barely a month after the Eastern Cape High Court cleared him and two co-accused of 32 charges, including rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The ruling sparked public outrage across South Africa, with critics accusing the court of failing victims of sexual violence.

During the previous trial, several women—some of them minors at the time of the alleged abuse—testified that Omotoso lured them under the guise of spiritual mentorship before allegedly exploiting them sexually. Despite the judge admitting that Omotoso’s defence lacked credibility, the court dismissed the case due to the prosecution’s failure to present sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.

South African Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, confirmed the latest arrest, noting that Omotoso is now facing immigration-related charges and is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Omotoso was originally arrested in 2017 and had spent nine years in custody during the lengthy trial. His case has become symbolic of the wider issues facing South Africa’s criminal justice system, particularly its handling of gender-based violence.

According to recent police statistics, over 42,500 rape cases were reported in the country between 2023 and 2024—averaging more than 116 per day—highlighting a national crisis that continues to fuel public anger in high-profile cases like Omotoso’s.
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