CONTROVERSIAL Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso was deported from South Africa on Sunday, just days after prosecutors announced plans to appeal his recent acquittal on multiple charges of rape and human trafficking. The decision to remove him from the country comes after public outcry over the case’s handling and a judge’s ruling that faulted the prosecution for procedural errors.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs confirmed Omotoso’s departure, stating he boarded a flight out of OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The 66-year-old preacher, who leads the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, had spent eight years behind bars awaiting trial before a court cleared him last month of 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
‘Given that he was illegally in the country, he was issued with a notification as an undesirable person, meaning that he will not be able to return to the country for five years,’ the department said in a statement.
Declared ‘undesirable’ after visa violation
Authorities said Omotoso overstayed his visa, leading to his classification as a prohibited person. While the deportation followed standard immigration procedures, it comes at a sensitive moment. His release on 10 May had already reignited national anger, particularly among women’s rights activists and legal observers.
Footage aired by local broadcasters SABC and Newzroom Afrika on Sunday showed Omotoso wearing a grey hoodie and dark sunglasses as he conversed with immigration officials at the airport. Though his exact destination was not confirmed, reports indicate he was returning to Nigeria.
A transport ministry official told AFP that Omotoso did not require special clearance to leave South Africa, and the Department of Home Affairs noted that while the ban on his return lasts five years, it can be appealed once that period expires.
Prosecutors vow to reopen case
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said this week it intends to appeal the acquittal. The judge who presided over the trial had criticised prosecutors for mishandling evidence and failing to follow proper procedures — a point that has now become central to the appeal process.
‘The NPA takes the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful appeal despite the complexities of the legal process,’ the agency said in a statement.
The NPA also confirmed that it is investigating the original prosecution team, raising the possibility of disciplinary action or legal consequences over their conduct.
Church with global reach
Omotoso is the founder and senior pastor of the Jesus Dominion International church, headquartered in Durban. According to South African authorities, the ministry has branches in both Nigeria and Israel.
He was re-arrested earlier this month on immigration charges following his release from prison. A magistrates’ court later ruled that he could not be held for more than 48 hours without charge, leading to his release ahead of the deportation order.
The fallout from the case is far from over. Women’s rights groups have vowed to continue pushing for accountability, and the NPA’s decision to appeal ensures that legal scrutiny of Omotoso — and the justice system’s handling of his case — will continue in the months ahead.
