South Africa to pursue appeal against Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape
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South Africa to appeal rape acquittal of Nigerian pastor Omotoso despite his departure from the country.
South African authorities have announced their intention to proceed with legal action against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, even after his recent acquittal on multiple rape charges and his subsequent departure from the country.
Omotoso, a controversial religious leader, faced 32 charges related to sexual assault, including rape and human trafficking. The charges stemmed from allegations made by several young women who were part of his Jesus Dominion International church, based in Port Elizabeth. One of the most harrowing testimonies came from a woman who claimed she was raped by Omotoso when she was only 14 years old.
Despite the severity of the accusations, a South African court ruled last month that Omotoso was not guilty of the charges. His legal team had consistently denied all allegations throughout the protracted legal process that began with his arrest in 2017.
Following his acquittal, Omotoso quietly left South Africa. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that he departed from OR Tambo International Airport and traveled to Nigeria. He was spotted by South Africa’s public broadcaster, SABC, who filmed him at the airport wearing a hoodie and sunglasses to avoid recognition.
Although his departure was legal, the South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced its plan to appeal the court’s decision. The NPA emphasized that Omotoso’s physical presence in South Africa is not required to pursue the appeal.
A spokesperson for the NPA stated, “The appeal will proceed. Should the higher courts allow it and the decision be overturned, we will initiate extradition proceedings to bring Mr. Omotoso back to South Africa.”
The Department of Home Affairs, meanwhile, declared Omotoso an “undesirable person” earlier this month, which bars him from re-entering South Africa for at least five years. The department also revealed that Omotoso had unresolved immigration issues before leaving, claiming he had been staying in the country illegally.
This legal saga has drawn national and international attention, not just due to the nature of the accusations but also because of the trial’s historic visibility. Omotoso’s case became the first high-profile rape trial in South Africa to be broadcast live, sparking widespread public interest and debate around gender-based violence, legal delays, and the influence of religious figures in the country.
The South African government has reiterated that if the appeal is successful, they will seek Omotoso’s extradition under the bilateral treaty it shares with Nigeria. The Department of Justice has been in communication with its Nigerian counterparts in anticipation of a possible request.
Omotoso leads Jesus Dominion International, a Pentecostal church with branches in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, and several locations throughout South Africa. His followers have continued to show strong support for him, even during the trial, with some congregants claiming that the accusations were part of a coordinated attack against their spiritual leader.
Meanwhile, women’s rights groups and survivors’ advocates in South Africa have voiced their disappointment with the court’s acquittal. Many are calling for a review of how sexual violence cases are handled within the judicial system, particularly when involving powerful public figures.
Legal experts suggest that the appeal process could take months or even years to resolve, depending on how swiftly the courts handle the submissions. Until then, the possibility of seeing Omotoso return to face charges remains uncertain, especially given his new “undesirable” status.
For now, Omotoso remains in Nigeria, where he is expected to continue his ministry. South African officials have urged patience as they work through the legal channels to address the public’s concerns and ensure justice is served if the appeal is successful.
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