Tim Omotoso (born Timothy Oluseun Omotoso, 14 July 1958) is a Nigerian televangelist and the senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International, based in Durban, South Africa. He has been in jail awaiting trial since April 2017 at the Port Elizabeth High Court for rape, racketeering, and human trafficking. He is alleged to have groomed his victims and began molesting them from the age of 14.[2][3][4] He was arrested by the South African priority crimes unit, Hawks, on 20 April 2017 at the Port Elizabeth International Airport.[5][6]
Tim Omotoso | |
|---|---|
| Born | Timothy Oluseun Omotoso July 14, 1958 |
| Occupation | Pastor |
| Years active | 1985–2018 |
| Criminal charge(s) | 32 charges of rape, human trafficking and racketeering[1] |
Career
editThe global outreach arm of his ministry functions under Tim Omotoso Global Outreach (TOGO). It is an Apostolic and Prophetic ministry designed under Trinitarian auspices to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ to this generation with signs following. The Church arm is Jesus Dominion International with branches across South Africa, France and the UK; it holds crusades all over the world. His mandate is to turn the hearts of men back to God. This vision is carried out through the Church arm- Jesus Dominion International, Help the Helpless project which reaches out to the less privileged and needy in society, and a youth empowerment Project (YEP) which is set to empower youth and mentor them.[7][8]
Omotoso initiated a youth project in South Africa called “Youth Empowerment Project” (YEP), under which he has mentored a number of music groups including Grace Galaxy[9] and Simply Chrysolite and also individual artists such as Shoggy Tosh who have composed their own songs and produced albums under his guidance.
In one of the awards they were in the same category with Kelly Rowlands for best international act BEFFTA awards and they won the award.
Television
editOmotoso is the founder of a 24-hour satellite TV station, Ancient of Days Broadcasting Network (ADBN),[10] which airs across the Caribbean, Africa, Mexico, Middle East,[11] Europe and United States. His weekly TV broadcast, 'Just As I Am',[12] features music, sermons and miracle sessions and airs across various networks.
Publications
editHe has written a book titled How to Enjoy Health, Wealth and Longevity and also a prayer book - Prayer Bonanza. His ministry also publishes an annual daily devotional. His messages are also available on DVD.
Personal life
editHe has said he was taught by the Lord to play the piano, the guitar, drums and other musical instruments before the age of 10.[citation needed] In the 1980s, he served as a music director for Ebenezer Obey's Decross Band & Inter Reformers' Band in the 80s.
Child sex abuse allegations
editOmotoso is alleged to have groomed people and abused them from the age of 14.[13][14][15] He was arrested by the South African priority crimes unit, Hawks, on 20 April 2017 at the Port Elizabeth International Airport.[16][17]
References
edit- ^ Bezuidenhout, Candice. "Omotoso loses mistrial bid, but gets half the charges against him dropped". News24. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Why don't abuse victims matter to us?".
- ^ "What followers say about Nigerian pastor Omotosho arrested for sex abuse - Vanguard News". Archived from the original on 2017-04-23.
- ^ "Nigerian Pastor Nabbed for Human Trafficking in South Africa". 22 April 2017.
- ^ "Police close in on Durban pastor accused of sexual abuse | eNCA".
- ^ "Durban 'sex-predator' pastor arrested on the run".
- ^ "Tim Omotoso Ministries". www.timomotoso.org. Archived from the original on November 5, 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ "HOUSE OF JACOB COMING TO LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA ON 9 NOVEMBER 2012". Thenigerianvoice.com. 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
- ^ "Grace Galaxy'S Biography". Modernghana.com. 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
- ^ "ADBN - Back To God". Ancientofdays.tv. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
- ^ "TV Schedule". Metv.org. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
- ^ "JUST AS I AM TV - live streaming video powered by Livestream". Livestream.com. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
- ^ "Why don't abuse victims matter to us?".
- ^ "What followers say about Nigerian pastor Omotosho arrested for sex abuse - Vanguard News". Archived from the original on 2017-04-23.
- ^ "Nigerian Pastor Nabbed for Human Trafficking in South Africa". 22 April 2017.
- ^ "Police close in on Durban pastor accused of sexual abuse | eNCA".
- ^ "Durban 'sex-predator' pastor arrested on the run".