South Africa to pursue the appeal against the Nigerian priest, was acquitted of rape

The South African authorities say they will continue to legal measures against Timothy Umotoso, who was acquitted of rape last month, although he left the country.

Mr. Umutoso, who denied the 32 charges against him, was accused of sexual assault on young women from his church in Port Elizabeth.

The National Prosecutor (NPA) says it will continue to appeal against the ruling, which was found that Mr. Umutoso was not guilty, saying that his presence is not required.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs in South Africa said that Mr. Umutoso has been transferred to Nigeria from the International Airport or Tambo, where it was filmed by the public broadcaster SABIC wearing Hodi and dark sunglasses.

Mr. Omotoso was first arrested in 2017 while trying to leave South Africa.

Among his accused was a woman who said she was raped by the priest when she was 14 years old.

In a statement, South Africa’s general prosecutors, “There are no legal reasons to prevent” Mr. Omotoso from leaving the country after its acquittal.

However, if the appeal is allowed, the authorities will be presented to obtain Mr. Omotoso to re -deliver them to South Africa, and the statement added, with a highlight of the “South African Delivery Treaty with Nigeria”.

After being acquitted in April, Mr. Omotoso also faced immigration issues, with The Ministry of Interior claims earlier this month It was in South Africa illegally.

On Sunday, the administration issued a statement saying that Mr. Omotoso has been classified as a “unwanted person”, which means that he will not be able to return to the country for five years.

South African broadcaster stated that the priest had voluntarily left the country.

Mr. Umutoso is led by Jesus Dominion International Church that has branches in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, France and Israel as well as in many parts of South Africa, according to its website.

The trial of Mr. Omotoso made South Africa’s history as the first high -level rape that is broadcast live.