South African authorities have announced plans to appeal the recent acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, who faced multiple rape and sexual assault charges before being cleared by a court in April.
Omotoso, founder of Jesus Dominion International Church, was accused of sexually abusing several young women from his congregation in Port Elizabeth, with one woman alleging the abuse began when she was 14. The pastor denied all 32 charges and was released after his acquittal.
Following his release, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs confirmed that Omotoso left the country voluntarily via OR Tambo International Airport. He was seen on footage by SABC wearing a hoodie and sunglasses.
Despite his departure, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it would move forward with an appeal and could request Omotoso’s extradition if the appeal is successful. The NPA noted the country has a bilateral extradition treaty with Nigeria.
Meanwhile, immigration authorities declared Omotoso an “undesirable person,” meaning he is barred from re-entering South Africa for at least five years. Officials also claimed he was staying in the country illegally before his departure.
Omotoso’s case made national headlines and became the first major rape trial in South Africa to be broadcast live on television, drawing widespread public attention. His church operates branches in Nigeria, the UK, France, Israel, and across South Africa.
