Nigerian Televangelist Timothy Omotoso files urgent court bid to overturn prohibited status in SA

Controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has reportedly filed an urgent High Court application to challenge his prohibited status in South Africa, following his arrest Saturday morning in East London for allegedly contravening the Immigration Act.

Omotoso, 66, was taken into custody by the Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration Inspectorate and the South African Police Service (SAPS) just after a church gathering in the Eastern Cape. SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed the arrest.

“This morning in East London at about 5 am, the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Inspectorate, together with the SAPS, arrested Omotoso just after the church,” Masemola said. 

“He will be facing charges relating to the violation of the Immigration Act.”

The arrest comes weeks after Omotoso was acquitted of multiple serious charges, including rape, human trafficking and sexual assault. 

He and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, 33,  had faced 32 counts ranging from racketeering and trafficking in persons to rape. 

The trial spanned eight years before the acquittal.

Omotoso, leader of the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, had recently challenged his classification as a prohibited person in court. 

The court ordered the Department of Home Affairs to reconsider the matter. 

However, Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber upheld the decision to declare him a prohibited person, effectively rendering his presence in the country illegal.

“The arrest follows the decision of the Minister of Home Affairs to reject the application submitted by Omotoso in terms of Section 8(7) of the Immigration Act,” said the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster in a statement.

Omotoso appeared in court Monday and is expected to face formal charges related to the alleged immigration violations.

This is a developing story.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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