Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has left South Africa after spending eight years behind bars and walking free from a high-profile rape case. His departure comes just days after prosecutors announced plans to appeal his acquittal.
Omotoso, leader of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, had faced 32 serious charges, including rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking. A judge recently threw out the case, citing prosecutorial missteps. The ruling triggered public backlash across South Africa, with critics questioning how such a major case could collapse so dramatically.
The 66-year-old pastor flew out of Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport on Sunday.
His destination wasn’t officially confirmed, but local media reported he was headed back to Nigeria. He left the country wearing a grey hoodie and sunglasses, seen chatting calmly with immigration officials.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, Omotoso overstayed his visa and was in the country illegally. That status led to his classification as an “undesirable person,” a designation that bars him from reentering South Africa for at least five years.
The Home Affairs office made it clear he was not forced out due to the criminal case, but because of immigration violations. The ban can be appealed once it expires, though it remains unclear whether Omotoso plans to return at all.
While Omotoso may have exited quietly, the legal storm around him is far from over. South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced this week that it will appeal the acquittal. They also plan to investigate the team that originally handled the case, signaling that the matter is still very much alive in legal circles.
Omotoso’s church, JDI, is headquartered in Durban and has branches in Nigeria and Israel. His arrest and trial have attracted intense media attention since 2017. His recent release and deportation add yet another twist to a story that continues to spark debate on justice, immigration, and accountability.
For now, Omotoso is out of South Africa. But the case that followed him for nearly a decade might still have chapters left to write.
By Lucky Anyanje
