Deported but Not Forgotten: Omotoso Returns to Nigeria After Controversial Acquittal

Controversial Nigerian pastor and televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, has been deported from South Africa following his recent acquittal on multiple serious charges, including rape and human trafficking.

Omotoso was escorted by South African police and officials from the Department of Home Affairs on Saturday, May 18, 2025, as he boarded a flight back to Nigeria from OR Tambo International Airport. A video of the moment has since gone viral on social media, reigniting conversations about the long-drawn legal battle that gripped the South African public for nearly a decade.

Watch the video:

His deportation came just weeks after a South African court cleared him of 32 charges, ending an eight-year saga that began with his dramatic arrest in 2017. Despite his acquittal, the Department of Home Affairs declared him an “undesirable person,” effectively banning him from returning to the country.

Omotoso’s prolonged detention without conviction stirred controversy both in South Africa and Nigeria, with human rights advocates questioning the justice system’s handling of the case. His eventual acquittal and sudden deportation have further fueled debates on immigration, justice, and public accountability.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

See What Apostle Chibuzor Is Turning a Former RCCG Church Into – It Will Melt Your Heart