Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has been rearrested in South Africa, just weeks after his acquittal on a series of high-profile rape and human trafficking charges.
Authorities confirmed that the 66-year-old pastor of Jesus Dominion International Church was taken into custody early Saturday morning in East London. His arrest, according to the South African Police Service and the Department of Home Affairs, is linked to immigration-related offences.
Omotoso was initially arrested in 2017 and faced 32 charges, including rape, sexual assault, exploitation, and human trafficking. Several young women, some reportedly minors at the time, testified that they were groomed and abused under the guise of religious mentorship. Witnesses said Omotoso would often pray for forgiveness after the alleged encounters.
After spending nine years in detention awaiting trial, Omotoso was acquitted last month of all charges by a South African court.
Providing details of the latest arrest, South Africa’s National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, confirmed that the operation was carried out by the Inspectorate Immigration Unit of the Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and the Tactical Response Team.
“He was arrested this morning around 5 a.m. in East London, shortly after concluding a church service,” Masemola said. “The arrest is related to immigration matters. He is expected to appear in court on Monday, where the full details of the charges will be made public.”
Further updates are expected following his court appearance.
