Omotoso's lawyer says his arrest was irrational
Disgraced Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso was arrested at the weekend for flouting immigration laws.
FILE: Rape-accused Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have been acquitted on all charges, including rape, racketeering, human trafficking, and assault. Picture: Sipha Kema
EAST LONDON - Disgraced pastor Timothy Omotoso's lawyer said the televangelist's arrest was irrational, citing that he still had time to appeal the South African government's decision declaring him a prohibited person.
Omotoso was arrested at the weekend for flouting immigration laws.
He appeared briefly in the East London Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon, where the matter was postponed to Tuesday.
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The immigration officer who arrested Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso at the weekend took the stand to testify in court on Monday.
He told the court that he read the pastor his rights before arresting him.
But the defence lawyer argued that the arrest was irrational, something the officer failed to deny.
The lawyer said that Omotoso was appealing the home affairs ministry's decision to prohibit him from being in South Africa, adding that he had 10 days to do so.
The Department of Home Affairs is applying for an order to deport Omotoso.
The matter has been rolled over to Tuesday for further proceedings.