Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso has once again found himself in police custody in South Africa, this time over immigration-related concerns.
Omotoso, a controversial figure known for his role as the leader of Jesus Dominion International Church, was taken into custody early Saturday morning, just weeks after being acquitted of serious criminal charges.
Authorities confirmed that the 66-year-old pastor was arrested around 5 a.m. in the coastal city of East London. His arrest was carried out by officers from the Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration Inspectorate, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and the Tactical Response Team.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed the arrest during a press briefing. “Well, I know it’s Omotoso. He was arrested this morning around 5 o’clock in East London as he was finishing the church,” Masemola said.
He further noted, “The arrest is based on immigration matters. He will appear in court somewhere around Monday, and everybody will know exactly what charges he’s facing. But it’s immigration-related matters.”
This development comes shortly after Omotoso was released from prison, where he had been held for nearly nine years awaiting trial on multiple allegations of rape, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. Those charges were dismissed last month by the court, which acquitted him of all 32 counts after a lengthy and controversial legal battle.
Back in 2017, Omotoso was initially arrested after several young women came forward, alleging they had been sexually abused by him while attending his church. Some of the women said they were still in school when the alleged abuse occurred. They claimed Omotoso would ask for forgiveness through prayer following each incident.
Although he walked free after the court’s decision in April, his legal troubles are far from over. The current arrest raises questions about his immigration status in South Africa and whether he had been in the country legally during the years he was leading the church.
