South African authorities said they will continue to conduct legal proceedings against Nigerian Telecom Timothy Omotoso, who was raped for not guilty last month, even though he had left the country.
Omotoso, who denied 32 charges against him, was accused of sexual assault on the church in Port Elizabeth.
The National Prosecution Agency (NPA) said it will still be sentenced to the verdict, which found Mr Omotoso innocent, saying his existence was not needed.
South Africa’s interior ministry said Mr Omotoso had flew to Nigeria from or Tambo International Airport, where he was photographed by public broadcaster SABC, wearing a hoodie and dark sunglasses.
Mr Omotoso was first arrested in 2017, trying to leave South Africa.
One of his accusers said she was raped by a pastor when she was 14 years old.
South African prosecutors accepted in a statement that “there is no legal reason to prevent Mr. Omotoso from leaving the country after his acquittal.
However, if appeals are allowed, the authorities will apply for Mr. Omotoso to be extradited back to South Africa and stressed South Africa's “bilateral extradition treaty with Nigeria”.
Mr Omososo also faces immigration issues following his acquittal in April, with the Home Office accusing him of illegally in South Africa earlier this month.
On Sunday, the department issued a statement saying Mr Omotoso was classified as a “bad man”, meaning he would not be able to return to the country within five years.
South Africa's public broadcasters reported that the pastors voluntarily left the country.
Given Mr Omotoso's status as an “unwelcome person”, the BBC has contacted the NPA to clarify any potential extradition process.
According to its website, Mr. Omotoso led the International Church of Jesus’ Gene Rule in the UK, Nigeria, France and Israel, as well as in many areas of South Africa.
Mr Omotoso's trial made South African history the first high-profile rape case live.
Other reports by Khanyisile Ngcobo in Johannesburg
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