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| Timothy Omotoso: South Africa to pursue appeal against Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape | Timothy Omotoso: South Africa to pursue appeal against Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape |
| (1 day later) | |
| Timothy Omotoso, who was found not guilty of all charges, is head of the Jesus Dominion International Church | Timothy Omotoso, who was found not guilty of all charges, is head of the Jesus Dominion International Church |
| South African authorities say they will continue with legal proceedings against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso who was acquitted of rape last month, even though he has left the country. | South African authorities say they will continue with legal proceedings against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso who was acquitted of rape last month, even though he has left the country. |
| Mr Omotoso, who denied the 32 charges against him, was accused of sexually assaulting young women from his church in Port Elizabeth. | Mr Omotoso, who denied the 32 charges against him, was accused of sexually assaulting young women from his church in Port Elizabeth. |
| The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it will still appeal against the judgement which found Mr Omotoso not guilty, saying his presence is not required. | The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it will still appeal against the judgement which found Mr Omotoso not guilty, saying his presence is not required. |
| South Africa's Department of Home Affairs said Mr Omotoso had flown to Nigeria from OR Tambo International Airport, where he was filmed by public broadcaster SABC wearing a hoodie and dark sunglasses. | South Africa's Department of Home Affairs said Mr Omotoso had flown to Nigeria from OR Tambo International Airport, where he was filmed by public broadcaster SABC wearing a hoodie and dark sunglasses. |
| Mr Omotoso was first arrested in 2017 as he attempted to leave South Africa. | Mr Omotoso was first arrested in 2017 as he attempted to leave South Africa. |
| Among his accusers was a woman who said she was raped by the pastor when she was aged 14. | Among his accusers was a woman who said she was raped by the pastor when she was aged 14. |
| In a statement, South African prosecutors accepted "there are no legal grounds to prevent" Mr Omotoso from leaving the country following his acquittal. | In a statement, South African prosecutors accepted "there are no legal grounds to prevent" Mr Omotoso from leaving the country following his acquittal. |
| However, if the appeal were allowed, the authorities would apply for Mr Omotoso to be extradited back to South Africa, the statement added, highlighting South Africa's "bilateral extradition treaty with Nigeria". | However, if the appeal were allowed, the authorities would apply for Mr Omotoso to be extradited back to South Africa, the statement added, highlighting South Africa's "bilateral extradition treaty with Nigeria". |
| After his acquittal in April, Mr Omotoso also faced immigration issues, with the Department of Home Affairs alleging earlier this month that he was in South Africa illegally. | After his acquittal in April, Mr Omotoso also faced immigration issues, with the Department of Home Affairs alleging earlier this month that he was in South Africa illegally. |
| On Sunday, the department issued a statement saying that Mr Omotoso had been classified as an "undesirable person", meaning he will not be able to return to the country for five years. | On Sunday, the department issued a statement saying that Mr Omotoso had been classified as an "undesirable person", meaning he will not be able to return to the country for five years. |
| South Africa's public broadcaster reports that the pastor left the country voluntarily. | South Africa's public broadcaster reports that the pastor left the country voluntarily. |
| The BBC has contacted the NPA for clarity on how any potential extradition process could work given Mr Omotoso's status as an "undesirable person". | The BBC has contacted the NPA for clarity on how any potential extradition process could work given Mr Omotoso's status as an "undesirable person". |
| Mr Omotoso leads the Jesus Dominion International church which has branches in the UK, Nigeria, France and Israel as well as in many parts of South Africa, according to its website. | Mr Omotoso leads the Jesus Dominion International church which has branches in the UK, Nigeria, France and Israel as well as in many parts of South Africa, according to its website. |
| Mr Omotoso's trial made South African history as the first high-profile rape case to be broadcast live. | Mr Omotoso's trial made South African history as the first high-profile rape case to be broadcast live. |
| Additional reporting from Khanyisile Ngcobo in Johannesburg | |
| More BBC stories about South Africa: | More BBC stories about South Africa: |
| South Africa shocked by live rape trial of Timothy Omotoso | South Africa shocked by live rape trial of Timothy Omotoso |
| Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape after eight years | Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape after eight years |
| Fake pastors and false prophets rock South African faith | Fake pastors and false prophets rock South African faith |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |