Nigerian preacher Timothy Omotoso, recently acquitted of multiple serious charges in South Africa, was expected to depart the country on Sunday, according to local media reports.
This development comes even as state prosecutors announce plans to reopen the case.
Omotoso, who heads the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) Church, was cleared last month of 32 charges including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. The verdict, delivered after he spent eight years in custody, sparked widespread public outrage, with critics pointing fingers at the prosecution team for mishandling the case.
Local television stations, including SABC and Newsroom Afrika, reported that the 66-year-old cleric was seen at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport dressed in a grey hoodie and sunglasses while speaking with immigration officials. However, details about his flight schedule remained unclear as of Sunday afternoon.
A spokesperson from the transport ministry confirmed that Omotoso did not require special clearance to exit the country.
Earlier in the week, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced its intention to appeal the court’s decision, expressing confidence in the possibility of a successful review. “Despite the legal complexities, we believe there is a strong basis for an appeal,” the NPA said in a statement. They also revealed plans to investigate the prosecution team involved in the trial.
Omotoso’s church, headquartered in Durban, also maintains branches in Nigeria and Israel, according to official records.
Following his acquittal, Omotoso was briefly rearrested on May 10 on immigration-related grounds.
However, a magistrate later ruled for his release, citing the legal requirement that no individual may be held beyond 48 hours without formal charges.
