Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso has left South Africa days after being acquitted of multiple charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
The 66-year-old pastor had spent eight years in jail before a South African court last month cleared him of 32 counts, citing prosecutorial mishandling of the case.
Omotoso departed from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Sunday.
According to South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, he has been declared an “undesirable person” for overstaying his visa and is now barred from re-entering the country for five years.
“Given that he was illegally in the country, he was issued with a notification as an undesirable person, meaning that he will not be able to return for five years,” the department said in a statement on May 10.
Although his exact destination was not confirmed, local media outlets, including SABC and Newzroom Afrika, reported that he was on his way to Nigeria.
According to AFP, Omotoso was seen at the airport wearing a grey hoodie and sunglasses, conversing with immigration officials.
The Department of Transport confirmed he did not require special clearance to leave the country. Authorities added that the travel ban can be appealed once it expires.
Omotoso leads the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, headquartered in Durban, with branches in Nigeria and Israel. He was re-arrested on May 10 on immigration charges and was facing deportation before a magistrate ordered his release, ruling that he could not be held beyond 48 hours without formal charges.
Despite the acquittal, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced plans to appeal the decision and investigate the original handling of the case.
“The NPA takes the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful appeal despite the complexities of the legal process,” a statement from the authority said.
