Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso departed South Africa on Sunday, following his acquittal on multiple charges and subsequent deportation due to immigration violations.
Omotoso, 66, was acquitted last month by the Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha on 32 charges, including rape, human trafficking and racketeering.
The court cited prosecutorial mishandling as the reason for the acquittal, a decision that sparked public outrage across South Africa.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has since announced plans to appeal the verdict and investigate the conduct of the prosecution team involved in the case.
Shortly after his acquittal, Omotoso was rearrested on May 10 in East London for contravening the Immigration Act.
The Department of Home Affairs had declared him a prohibited person and his appeal against this status was rejected by the Minister of Home Affairs.
A magistrate’s court later ordered his release, ruling that he could not be detained for more than 48 hours without formal charges.
On Sunday, Omotoso was seen at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, dressed in a grey hoodie and sunglasses, engaging with immigration officials before boarding a flight to Lagos.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed his departure and stated that he has been declared an undesirable person, barring him from re-entering South Africa for five years.
Omotoso is the founder of Jesus Dominion International (JDI), a church headquartered in Durban, South Africa, with branches in Nigeria and Israel.
His legal battles have drawn significant attention, highlighting issues within the South African judicial system and sparking debates on justice for victims of gender-based violence.
The NPA’s appeal against Omotoso’s acquittal is pending, with further investigations into the prosecution’s conduct underway.
The outcome of these proceedings may have lasting implications for South Africa’s legal approach to complex sexual assault cases.