Local media reported that a Nigerian televangelist who had been found guilty of raping a number of young women from his church was scheduled to leave South Africa on Sunday, just days after the prosecution announced their intention to resume the case.
After serving eight years in prison, Timothy Omotoso was found not guilty of 32 counts, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
After the judge claimed that the prosecution had handled the case improperly, South Africa was upset about the decision.
According to state broadcasters SABC and Newsroom Afrika television, the 66-year-old pastor was scheduled to leave for his native Nigeria from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport.
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Omotoso was chatting to an immigration official while wearing a grey hoodie and sunglasses at the airport.
When would his fight end, it was not immediately known.
According to a representative from the transportation ministry, they were not required to request their country’s departure.
State prosecutors announced this week that they would look into the case’s handling team and file an appeal against his rape conviction.
Despite the complexity of the legal process, the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) believes there are reasonable chances of a successful appeal.
The Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, which has its headquarters in Durban, in the eastern part of South Africa, is led by Omotoso.
According to the South African government, the JDI has branches in both Israel and Nigeria.
Omotoso was detained on May 10 on suspicion of evading immigration, and the South African government claimed he was going to be deported.
Source: Channels TV
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