EAST LONDON, May 10 (AGCNewsNet) – Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, who was recently acquitted of rape and human trafficking charges, has been rearrested in South Africa for alleged immigration violations.

Authorities confirmed his arrest on Saturday morning following a church service in East London. South African Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola stated that Omotoso will face charges under the Immigration Act and is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Omotoso, 66, leads the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) Church and was initially arrested in 2017 on multiple charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. Last month, the Eastern Cape High Court cleared him of all charges, citing prosecutorial mishandling and lack of sufficient evidence.

His acquittal sparked public outrage across South Africa, especially among women's rights activists and advocacy groups. Critics argue the case exposed flaws in the justice system, especially in handling sensitive sexual abuse allegations.

Several young women had accused Omotoso of coercing them into sexual acts under the guise of spiritual healing, a narrative that became central to public discourse during the nine-year-long trial.

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Source: ICIR Nigeria