Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, at the OR Tambo International Airport on 18 May 2025. Picture: Mongezi Koko/EWN

JOHANNESBURG - Controversial Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, is set to board a flight to his home country following the recent end to a turbulent legal saga that spanned nearly seven years.

Omotoso was first arrested in 2017, facing charges of rape and human trafficking involving several young women from his church.

But earlier in May, the Eastern Cape High Court acquitted him on a technicality, slamming the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for failing to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Just days after that verdict, Omotoso was again in handcuffs, this time on separate immigration-related offences.

The East London Magistrates Court later released him, ruling that he could not be held for longer than 48 hours without formal charges. By Timothy Omotoso, EWN