Five-year re-entry ban imposed after explosive eight-year televised trial ends in acquittal
The South African government has deported Timothy Omotoso, a Nigerian televangelist and founder of Jesus Dominion International, following a sensational eight-year rape trial that tested the limits of the country’s legal and media systems.
Mr Omotoso, 66, who rose to prominence as a charismatic preacher and media personality based in Durban, was released from prison on 2 April 2025 after being acquitted of 32 charges ranging from rape and human trafficking to racketeering. His departure was confirmed by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, which also imposed a five-year ban on his return.
The high-profile case was the first rape trial in South African history to be broadcast live on national television. It became a litmus test for the country’s criminal justice system, media transparency, and public attitudes toward sexual violence.
Public arrest, lengthy trial, dramatic outcome
Mr Omotoso’s legal ordeal began on 20 April 2017 when officers from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation known locally as the Hawks arrested him at Port Elizabeth International Airport.
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The charges stemmed from multiple complaints by former congregants, including underage girls, who accused the preacher of exploiting his religious authority to commit acts of sexual abuse and coercion.
Among the most harrowing testimonies was that of a woman who told the court in 2018 that she was 14 years old when Mr Omotoso allegedly raped her.
The story sent shockwaves across South Africa, a country already grappling with one of the highest rates of sexual violence globally.
However, after years of delays, adjournments, and over 30 pre-trial applications many of which were brought forward by the defence the Eastern Cape High Court in Port Elizabeth ultimately found Mr Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, not guilty. The court cited significant prosecutorial errors, poor witness management, and lack of due process.
“The state failed to meet the standard of proof required in a criminal trial,” the presiding judge ruled. “The prosecution’s handling of this case did not align with the constitutional guarantees of fairness and justice.”
Following the judgement, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) admitted that serious procedural failings contributed to the collapse of the case.
“We acknowledge shortcomings by previous legal teams and are conducting an internal review,” an NPA spokesperson told local media.
Although acquitted, Mr Omotoso was not a free man for long. On 10 May, immigration officers detained him in East London, a coastal city in the Eastern Cape, on grounds of expired residency and concerns over public order. According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the pastor voluntarily accepted deportation rather than contesting the immigration charges.
Escorted by armed police officers, Mr Omotoso departed King Shaka International Airport in Durban shortly before noon and arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where he boarded a 3:10 p.m. flight to Lagos. Clad in a grey hoodie, dark sunglasses, and black track pants, he declined to speak to the press.
By Sunday evening, he was expected to land in Nigeria, although officials had not confirmed his arrival at the time of filing this report.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that Mr Omotoso has been issued a five-year prohibition order under South African immigration law. The measure is often applied in cases involving deportation due to visa violations or individuals deemed persona non grata due to public concern.
Known for his prosperity preaching and slick television production, Mr Omotoso built a formidable following across Southern Africa through his 24-hour satellite station, Ancient of Days Broadcasting Network (ADBN), and his best-selling book,
How to Enjoy Health, Wealth and Longevity. His supporters have long claimed he was the victim of a targeted campaign driven by media sensationalism and anti-immigrant sentiment.
