Timothy Omotoso Set for Deportation from South Africa After Acquittal and Immigration Row

Controversial Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, is set to be deported from South Africa today, Sunday, May 18, 2025, following his decision to voluntarily leave the country after being re-arrested by immigration authorities. The founder of Jesus Dominion International Church, Omotoso’s exit marks the culmination of years of legal battles, public scrutiny, and administrative hurdles surrounding his stay in South Africa.

According to reports from reputable South African news outlets, SABC and Newsroom Afrika, Omotoso is expected to depart via Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, although his exact flight time remains unconfirmed. Television footage showed him in quiet conversation with immigration officials at the airport, visibly composed as preparations for his deportation concluded.

Nigerian Army Eliminates Terrorist Commander Alhaji Shaudo Alku In Airstrike, Ramps Up Anti-Terror Operations

Omotoso’s deportation process began on May 10, 2025, after he was arrested by immigration officers in East London, a city where he had maintained religious and residential activities. His arrest came after the Department of Home Affairs rejected his appeal to overturn his designation as a prohibited person in South Africa—a status that automatically requires expulsion from the country.

Though Omotoso had earlier been granted bail after nearly eight years in detention, his immigration status continued to draw official scrutiny, ultimately resulting in his re-arrest and pending deportation. According to immigration officials, his voluntary departure would ensure a less confrontational removal process, avoiding the legal complications of forced extradition.

His decision to leave, reportedly made in consultation with legal advisers, was framed as a move to preserve his dignity and avoid further protracted legal entanglements in South Africa, where his ministry had drawn both fervent followers and fierce critics.

In April 2025, Omotoso was acquitted of 32 serious charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking, by the Gqeberha High Court. His co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were also acquitted. The high-profile case, which had held public attention for years, was marred by delays, legal technicalities, and allegations of evidentiary mishandling.

Delivering the judgment, Judge Irma Schoeman noted that although the complainants’ testimonies were subjectively credible, the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to overcome reasonable doubt. The judge criticized the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for its handling of the case, including failures in witness protection and evidence preservation.

For Omotoso, the ruling marked a significant legal victory, yet it did little to restore his public image. Years of negative press, combined with allegations from multiple complainants, left a lingering stain on his reputation—even in the face of acquittal.

Immigration Battle Reignites After Acquittal

Following his release from prison, Omotoso faced an immediate challenge from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, which moved swiftly to initiate his deportation. Authorities argued that his continued presence in the country posed a public interest risk and referenced the polarizing effect his case had on South African society.

Despite appeals, his application to have the “prohibited person” label lifted was denied, leading to his detention by immigration police in Johannesburg earlier this month. While his legal team attempted to push for a stay of deportation, Omotoso ultimately chose to leave voluntarily, perhaps in recognition of the limited options remaining.

A Return to Nigeria, But What Next?

Omotoso is expected to arrive in Nigeria later today, where he will face a complex reception. While many in his home country have followed his trial from afar, it remains to be seen whether he will resume his religious activities or lie low amid the aftermath of a deeply divisive saga.

Legal experts suggest that while he cannot face trial again in South Africa for the same charges due to the principle of double jeopardy, South African authorities may still pursue investigations into immigration violations, especially related to the establishment and operations of his church.

Meanwhile, human rights groups and activists in South Africa continue to demand reforms to ensure better protection for victims of alleged abuse, as well as improved judicial efficiency to avoid cases dragging on for years without resolution.

Timothy Omotoso’s deportation draws a line under one of South Africa’s most sensational legal dramas in recent memory. Yet, even as he boards a plane out of Johannesburg, questions remain unanswered—about the prosecution’s failings, the role of media, and how future cases of sexual abuse and trafficking will be handled in South Africa’s legal system.

For now, Omotoso’s chapter in South African history is closing, but its implications—for justice, immigration policy, and religious accountability—are far from over.