South African authorities say they may proceed with authorized proceedings in opposition to Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso who was acquitted of rape final month, although he has left the nation.
Mr Omotoso, who denied the 32 costs in opposition to him, was accused of sexually assaulting younger ladies from his church in Port Elizabeth.
The Nationwide Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it can nonetheless enchantment in opposition to the judgement which discovered Mr Omotoso not responsible, saying his presence is just not required.
South Africa’s Division of Residence Affairs mentioned Mr Omotoso had flown to Nigeria from OR Tambo Worldwide Airport, the place he was filmed by public broadcaster SABC sporting a hoodie and darkish sun shades.
Mr Omotoso was first arrested in 2017 as he tried to depart South Africa.
Amongst his accusers was a girl who mentioned she was raped by the pastor when she was aged 14.
In an announcement, South African prosecutors accepted “there are not any authorized grounds to forestall” Mr Omotoso from leaving the nation following his acquittal.
Nonetheless, if the enchantment had been allowed, the authorities would apply for Mr Omotoso to be extradited again to South Africa, the assertion added, highlighting South Africa’s “bilateral extradition treaty with Nigeria”.
After his acquittal in April, Mr Omotoso additionally confronted immigration points, with the Division of Residence Affairs alleging earlier this month that he was in South Africa illegally.
On Sunday, the division issued an announcement saying that Mr Omotoso had been labeled as an “undesirable individual”, which means he will be unable to return to the nation for 5 years.
South Africa’s public broadcaster reviews that the pastor left the nation voluntarily.
Mr Omotoso leads the Jesus Dominion Worldwide church which has branches within the UK, Nigeria, France and Israel in addition to in lots of elements of South Africa, in keeping with its web site.
Mr Omotoso’s trial made South African historical past as the primary high-profile rape case to be broadcast reside.
