- Safiu Kehinde
Barely few weeks after being acquitted and discharged of multiple rape charges, Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, has been rearrested.
As confirmed by the police and the Home Affairs Department, Omotoso was arrested early on Saturday morning in East London.
The National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, who confirmed his rearrest said he will appear in court on Monday over charges bordering on immigration-related matters.
“Well, I know it’s Omotoso. He was arrested this morning around 5 o’clock in East London as he was finishing the church,” said
“Inspectorate immigration of the Department of Home Affairs, together with the South African Police Service and TRT [Tactical Response Team], did effect the arrest.
“The arrest is based on immigration matters. He will appear in court somewhere around Monday, and everybody will know exactly what charges he’s facing. But it’s immigration-related matters.” Masemola said.
According to reports, the 66-year-old pastor at the Jesus Dominion International church based in South Africa was arrested in 2017 on 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Omotoso was alleged to have handpicked several women who testified against him, claiming that he would pray for forgiveness after each encounter with them.
The clergyman was however acquitted last month on all 32 charges of rape, trafficking and sexual assault against him.