LONDON, The United Kingdom – The British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, has released a revealing three-part documentary on Monday, January 8, 2023, exposing alleged sexual crimes and other atrocities committed by the late Temitope Balogun Joshua, known as Prophet TB Joshua.
The renowned millionaire cleric, who passed away on June 5, 2021, following a heart attack, led the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, a multimillion-dollar religious organisation with global followers.
The documentary is the result of extensive interviews with over 30 former members and workers of SCOAN.
It uncovers a pattern of alleged abuse, harassment, rape, manipulation, and staged miracles spanning over two decades. Sources indicated that the church was aware of these allegations but chose not to investigate.
A particularly disturbing revelation in the documentary involves the 2014 collapse of a SCOAN guesthouse. Contrary to the church’s narrative of an aircraft bombing, shown repeatedly on Emmanuel TV, insiders suggest a cover-up of structural defects.
“They told us don’t tell what you know,” said Emmanuel, a former worker, highlighting a culture of silence within the church.
Rae, a British disciple, corroborated this, noting that the foundation was inadequate for the building’s size, despite professional advice against its expansion.
In the aftermath of the collapse, SCOAN allegedly compensated the victims’ families, which some interpreted as “hush money.”
A church worker involved in dispensing these funds in South Africa revealed that TB Joshua instructed families to avoid speaking with the media, with threats issued to those who refused the money.
Survivors of sexual exploitation within SCOAN described a harrowing environment where TB Joshua asserted his control under the pretext of salvation.
Women, many of whom joined the synagogue as teenagers, spoke of being molested and raped by Joshua. “He told the women he was sexually assaulting them for their salvation,” all the women confirmed.
Abisola, a former member, recounted a 14-year ordeal of repeated rape, leading to forced abortions within a clandestine clinic in the church.
The documentary also sheds light on the church’s practice of staging and exaggerating televised miracles.
Members were reportedly instructed to amplify their problems and subsequent healings to reinforce the perception of divine intervention.
This exposé by the BBC not only reveals the alleged dark secrets of a once-revered religious figure but also highlights the broader issues of abuse and exploitation hidden under the guise of faith.
