Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape after 9yrs in detention rearrested in South Africa

A Nigerian pastor recently cleared of multiple rape allegations has been taken into custody again—this time by South African immigration authorities.

Timothy Omotoso, founder of Jesus Dominion International (JDI), was arrested on Saturday morning in East London, Eastern Cape, according to the country’s police service.

He had been released just weeks earlier after spending nine years in detention awaiting trial on charges of rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking involving young women from his church.

The arrest came on the heels of mounting public outrage following Omotoso’s acquittal. Although the presiding judge found aspects of his testimony difficult to believe, she ruled that prosecutorial missteps had undermined the state’s case.

“Just after church,” said police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Omotoso was arrested. “He will be facing charges related to violations of the Immigration Act, and he will appear in court on Monday.”

The 66-year-old was originally detained in 2017 on more than 30 counts, including rape and exploitation. Some of the accusers, who were teenagers at the time, testified that Omotoso chose them from his congregation and would pray for forgiveness after allegedly abusing them.

In her April ruling, Eastern Cape High Court Judge Irma Schoeman criticised the prosecution’s approach, saying the state failed to prove its case “beyond a reasonable doubt” against Omotoso and his two co-accused.

South Africa continues to grapple with a high prevalence of sexual violence. Police figures show over 42,500 rape cases were reported during the 2023–2024 fiscal year—an average of more than 116 incidents each day.