Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso acquitted of rape,rearrested.
Timothy Omotosho, a Nigerian televangelist who was previously cleared of multiple rape charges, has been arrested again for immigration violations, according to South African police on Saturday, May 10.
Omotoso was released in April 2025, nine years after being imprisoned for allegedly r@ping and s£xually assaulting several young women from his church. Despite the judge finding his explanations unlikely, the case against him was mishandled by state prosecutors, leading to his acquittal.
Following his release, Omotoso was arrested by immigration authorities and police in East London on Saturday morning. He will be charged with violating the Immigration Act and is set to appear in court on Monday.
The 66-year-old pastor of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church in South Africa was initially arrested in 2017 on 32 charges, including rape, s£xual exploitation, and human trafficking.
Young women, some still in school, testified that Omotoso selected them and then prayed for forgiveness after each encounter.
In April, Judge Irma Schoeman criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case, stating that the state failed to prove its case against Omotoso and his two assistants beyond a reasonable doubt.
Reactions
@NaijaTruthTeller:
“So Pastor Timothy Omotoso gets acquitted and BOOM — rearrested immediately? This movie no dey end 😳 #Omotoso #JusticeInAfrica”@ChikaSpeaks:
“If he was innocent, why rearrest him? And if he’s guilty, why acquit him? Make it make sense abeg! 😤⚖️ #TimothyOmotoso”@TheWokeGeneration:
“It’s giving Justice on vibes and inshallah. South Africa’s legal system is doing backflips with the Omotoso case. #OmotosoTrial”@IReportNaija:
“BREAKING: Acquitted but rearrested? Pastor Timothy Omotoso’s case just took another shocking twist. #JusticeForVictims or #WitchHunt?”@GossipGistAfrica:
“The streets are HOT! Timothy Omotoso walks out the court a free man, only to walk right back into cuffs. This drama no get part 2! 🔥😳 #Omotoso”@FeministNg:
“Another day, another pastor dodging justice. But guess what? We’re watching. Every. Single. Move. #BelieveSurvivors #Omotoso”@LegalLensSA:
“Rearrest after acquittal? Might be new charges, might be procedural… but it’s definitely raising eyebrows. What’s next? 👀 #OmotosoSaga”@StreetJudgeAfrica:
“That rearrest was louder than the acquittal. Let’s see if this time the system holds him accountable. #OmotosoMustAnswer”
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