Timothy Omotoso not receiving special treatment in prison
The Department of Correctional Services has pushed back against allegations that controversial pastor Timothy Omotoso received VIP treatment while behind bars.
This follows claims made by a former police officer suggesting that Omotoso, who was awaiting trial at St. Albans Prison, was living comfortably thanks to his influence and financial power.
But according to National Commissioner Samuel Thobakgale, an internal investigation launched back in 2022 found no evidence to support the claims.
“I instructed that there should be an investigation that is taken up on that. It was done and we came out with an outcome that indicated that there was no special treatment that was being accorded to inmate Timothy Omotoso at that time,” he explained.
Due to Omotoso’s high-profile nature, Thobakgale said the pastor has been under increased supervision—not as a privilege, but as a precaution.
“We continued to monitor this inmate because he was a high-profile inmate. And all high-profile inmates and classified inmates are monitored. There is attention that is given to them. Firstly to ensure that they do not engage in activities that would endanger our officials and other inmates. And also that they do not become a danger to themselves.”
In a bid to maintain transparency and avoid internal conflicts, officials associated with Omotoso’s church, Jesus Dominion International, were reportedly removed from any direct involvement in his case.
The commissioner also cast doubt on the credibility of the individual who made the accusations, pointing out that this person had previously engaged inmates inappropriately.
“The individual who went out to report on this is the same one that we have been engaging as the department. An individual that has been engaging other offenders within the system in an unauthorised manner. But I will leave it there, because it then questions the intentions for such an individual,” Thobakgale said.
Meanwhile, Timothy Omotoso, along with co-accused Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, has since been cleared of all charges, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering.
