Barely weeks after being acquitted of multiple rape charges, popular Nigerian televangelist and founder of Jesus Dominion International, Pastor Timothy Omotosho, has again found himself in legal trouble in South Africa, this time over alleged immigration violations.

The 66-year-old clergyman was rearrested on Saturday morning in the town of East London by officials of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in collaboration with the country’s immigration authorities. According to Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, the arrest was made shortly after a church service.

“He will be facing charges related to violations of the Immigration Act, and he will appear in court on Monday,” the police chief told newsmen in Johannesburg.

Confirming the development, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, disclosed that the pastor’s rearrest followed the rejection of his appeal against a prior decision by the department to declare him a persona non grata.

“After carefully reconsidering the matter, the minister upheld the decision to declare Omotoso a prohibited person. To ensure compliance with the laws of the Republic, Omotoso is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, 12 May 2025, on charges of contravening provisions of the Immigration Act,” the Home Affairs department said in a statement.

Omotosho had previously faced a lengthy and high-profile legal battle in South Africa after his initial arrest in 2017 on a raft of serious charges including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking involving young female members of his church.

In April this year, Justice Irma Schoeman of the Eastern Cape High Court acquitted Omotosho and two of his assistants, citing the prosecution’s failure to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The ruling sparked mixed reactions across the country, especially among human rights advocates and members of the religious community.

The current charges, while unrelated to the previous criminal case, have reignited public scrutiny surrounding Omotosho’s presence and activities in South Africa.

The Nigerian government has not officially commented on the latest arrest at the time of filing this report.

Omotosho is expected to remain in custody until his court appearance on Monday.

Further updates will follow as the case unfolds.