South Africa’s branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for due course to be followed in the case of a Nigerian pastor who was arrestedon Thursdayin the country.

Pastor Timothy Omotoso, who appeared in a Port Elizabeth Court on Friday over alleged assault and human trafficking, was denied bail.

He is to remain behind bars until the case resumes onMay 3, 2017.

The CAN representatives who spoke to Channels Television correspondent in South Africa expressed worry that the development may trigger more anti-Nigerian sentiments in the country, if not properly handled.

The 58-year-old televangelist of the Jesus Dominion International Ministries was arrested by operatives of the Priority Crimes Unit of the South African Police Service (The Hawks).

He was picked up over allegations of sex crimes and human trafficking involving about 30 female congregants, after some young members of his congregation alleged that the clergyman had sexually molested them for years.

An investigative feature on South Africa’s national broadcaster last Monday showed three girls who claimed to have been his victims.

One of them who is now 25, claimed that the alleged molestation began when she was 14 years old.

In a statement, The Hawks said the pastor reportedly trafficked the young women from various branches of his church to a house in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal where he allegedly exploited them sexually. (Channels TV)