South Africa has announced they will proceed with an appeal against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, who was acquitted last month of 32 charges of rape and sexual assault.
Omotoso, the founder and leader of Jesus Dominion International Church, was accused of abusing young women within his church community in Port Elizabeth over several years.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that although Omotoso has left South Africa and returned to Nigeria, this does not halt their pursuit of justice.
His departure was voluntary, captured by public broadcaster SABC as he left OR Tambo International Airport wearing a hoodie and dark sunglasses. The NPA emphasized that Omotoso’s physical presence in South Africa is not required for the appeal process.
Timothy Omotoso was first arrested in 2017 during an attempt to leave South Africa, following a lengthy investigation. Some of the accusers detailed harrowing accounts, including one woman who alleged she was raped by the pastor at the age of 14.
Despite the acquittal in April, the South African Department of Home Affairs recently classified Omotoso as an “undesirable person,” barring his return for a period of five years due to alleged immigration violations.
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If the appeal is successful, South African authorities intend to request Omotoso’s extradition under the bilateral extradition treaty between South Africa and Nigeria.
Legal experts have raised questions about the complexities of extraditing someone who has been labeled “undesirable,” but the NPA is actively exploring all options to bring him back for a retrial if necessary.
Omotoso’s trial marked a historic moment in South Africa, as it was the first high-profile rape case to be broadcast live, shining a light on issues of sexual abuse within religious institutions.
Jesus Dominion International Church has branches in the UK, Nigeria, France, Israel, and across South Africa, where Omotoso has built a significant following.
The case has sparked widespread debate about justice, religious authority, and protection for vulnerable individuals, while raising awareness about the challenges faced by survivors of abuse seeking justice in complex legal and cross-border scenarios.
BBC
