Barely a month after walking free from a high-profile segxwal assault case, controversial Nigerian televangelist, Pastor Timothy Omotoso, is back in police custody — this time for alleged immigration offences.
Omotoso, 66, who leads the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church in South Africa, was taken into custody by immigration officials and police officers on the morning of Saturday, May 10. According to South African Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, the arrest occurred "just after church" in the coastal city of East London.
“He is now facing charges related to breaches of the Immigration Act and is expected to appear in court on Monday,” Masemola confirmed during a press briefing.
The pastor was dramatically arrested in 2017 and charged with 32 counts, including rape, segxwal exploitation, and human trafficking. Numerous young women, some reportedly still in secondary school at the time, claimed they were groomed and abused by Omotoso under the guise of religious mentorship. Several witnesses recalled being prayed over for "forgiveness" following the alleged assaults.
However, after nearly a decade of legal wrangling and prolonged delays, Omotoso and his two co-accused were acquitted in April 2025. Eastern Cape High Court Judge Irma Schoeman lambasted the prosecution’s handling of the case, stating that the state had failed to prove its allegations beyond reasonable doubt, despite what she called the "improbable" nature of Omotoso’s own defense.
The fresh arrest now adds a new chapter to a legal saga that has captivated and divided public opinion in both South Africa and Nigeria. With court proceedings set to resume Monday, the spotlight once again returns to Pastor Omotoso — now facing a different kind of courtroom battle.
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