South Africa slams five-year ban, deports embattled Tim Omotoso

• NiDCOM receives 10 trafficked victims from Ghana, two from Mali

Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, has allegedly been deported from South Africa, days after prosecutors announced plans to appeal his recent acquittal on multiple charges.

The South African Home Affairs also banned him from entering the country for five years. Omotoso is the Senior Pastor of Jesus Dominion International, which is based in Durban, South Africa. He is also the founder of Tim Omotoso Global Outreach and Ancient of Day Broadcasting Network.

Several young women had accused the cleric of luring them into his home in Umhlanga, a town in South Africa, where he allegedly molested them. He was arrested over the allegations in April 2017, shortly after he landed at an airport in the country.

In April 2025, a High Court in the Eastern Cape Division of South Africa acquitted him of charges bordering on rape and human trafficking after eight years in jail.

The 66-year-old evangelist was acquitted of 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking, in the eight-year legal battle. His acquittal sparked public outrage across the country, with critics blaming prosecutorial missteps for the outcome.

While some South African media outlets reported that he left the country on his own, others claimed Omotoso was deported from South Africa on Sunday, May 18, 2025 via Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, a journalist with SA FM, Themba Dlamini, told The Guardian that he was deported but the National Prosecuting Authority could equally ask him to be repatriated if the need arises. Broadcast footage showed him wearing a grey hoodie and sunglasses while speaking with immigration officials.

The televangelist, who heads the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) Church based in Durban, was re-arrested on May 10, 2025, for immigration violations.

Last week, a South African magistrate ordered his release, ruling that he could not be held for more than 48 hours without formal charges.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced its intention to appeal the acquittal and investigate how the case was handled. National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Fannie Masemola, had last week confirmed the cleric’s arrest.

MEANWHILE, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, yesterday, received another set of 12 trafficked girls and a boy of five years old rescued from Ghana and Mali.

Those received from Ghana at the NIDCOM Liason Office are between 16 and 30 years, while the two from Mali are aged 27 and 35 years.

“By July 1st, we will begin full enforcement of the ban on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) like we did for Styrofoam food packs in Lagos State, which we believe is reasonable.

“When we announced the ban on Styrofoam food packs, we had engagements, and I remember people were worried, but we felt it was necessary to make the transition smoother,” he added.

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