Court rules that Nigerian televangelis Omotoso to stay in SA for now
The East London Magistrates Court has ruled that controversial Nigerian pastor and televangelist Timothy Omotoso may remain in South Africa — at least for now — as his legal team challenges a decision that declared him a prohibited person in the country.
Omotoso appeared in court on Tuesday to face immigration-related charges, following his arrest over the weekend. His arrest came after the Department of Home Affairs rejected his application to overturn a ruling that barred him from legally residing in South Africa.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the pastor was taken into custody due to the unresolved immigration status stemming from a Home Affairs directive. The department had previously classified Omotoso as a prohibited person, meaning he could no longer legally remain in South Africa.
However, the magistrate presiding over Tuesday’s hearing ruled that Omotoso can stay in the country until a formal review of the Home Affairs decision is concluded. This ruling comes as a temporary relief for Omotoso and his followers, many of whom have continued to support him through years of legal controversy.
Omotoso’s Ongoing Legal Saga in South Africa
This is just the latest chapter in a long-running legal battle that has followed Timothy Omotoso since his high-profile arrest in 2017. Initially detained at Port Elizabeth Airport, he faced multiple charges, including human trafficking, rape, and racketeering, involving young women and girls, many of whom were allegedly recruited through his church.
The criminal case has dragged on for years, with numerous delays, legal challenges, and the replacement of judges. Public interest in the Omotoso trial has remained high, as it touches on issues of abuse of power, religious manipulation, and immigration enforcement.
The current immigration case is separate from the ongoing criminal trial but adds another legal hurdle for the Nigerian-born pastor. According to legal experts, immigration matters like these are handled by the Department of Home Affairs, which has the authority to declare a person undesirable or prohibited based on various grounds, including criminal conduct or violations of immigration law.
Omotoso’s legal team has consistently argued that the charges against him are politically motivated and that the Home Affairs decision was unjust and should be overturned. They have filed for a review of the prohibition order, which the court has now agreed to consider.
Until that review is heard and concluded, Omotoso is legally allowed to remain in South Africa, although he remains under legal scrutiny on multiple fronts.
The NPA has also indicated plans to appeal a prior acquittal in one of the matters related to Omotoso, signaling that legal proceedings involving the pastor are far from over. It remains to be seen how the courts will rule in both the immigration and criminal matters, but observers note that the combined legal pressure is mounting.
Human rights groups and victims’ advocacy organizations have expressed frustration over the drawn-out legal process. Many argue that justice has been delayed, with some of the alleged victims having to relive traumatic experiences repeatedly due to postponed court appearances and legal technicalities.
Omotoso, however, continues to command a loyal following, both in South Africa and abroad. His church, Jesus Dominion International, has repeatedly defended his innocence and called for fair treatment under the law. Supporters have often appeared at court hearings, singing and praying outside court buildings.
With the latest ruling, Omotoso’s immigration status remains in limbo, but he is, for the time being, safe from deportation. The upcoming review of the Home Affairs prohibition order will likely determine his future in South Africa, though the timeline for that hearing has not yet been publicly confirmed.
Legal analysts say that while Tuesday’s ruling is a temporary win for Omotoso, it does not resolve the broader legal issues he faces. The immigration case could take months to finalize, and it runs parallel to the ongoing criminal proceedings in the Eastern Cape High Court.
In the meantime, Omotoso will remain in South Africa under court-approved conditions, continuing to navigate a complex and deeply scrutinized legal journey that has captured national attention.
As South Africa awaits further developments in the high-profile Omotoso case, both critics and supporters are watching closely, knowing that the eventual outcomes may set important precedents in how immigration and criminal cases involving foreign religious leaders are handled.
Source – EWN
