According to a recent BBC report, Pastor TB Joshua allegedly mistreated and tortured members for more than 20 years.
The BBC claims that it looked into the well-known Nigerian televangelist who, during his lifetime, amassed a sizable worldwide following that lasted for two years. TB Joshua, who passed away in 2021, welcomed members of the international community to his Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos. These members attended his widely broadcast “miracles,” “healing,” and “deliverance” sessions via Emmanuel TV.
Numerous former members of the Synagogue Church of All Nations have now accused Joshua of rape and forced abortions, calling the organization “a cult,” “including instances of child abuse and people being whipped and chained,” the BBC reports.
According to the ex-members, the incidents took place in a Lagos compound.
In the three-part documentary, many women claimed that Joshua had sexually abused them and had raped them inside the compound for years. In addition, some members said that after Joshua sexually assaulted them, they had several forced abortions inside the church. A woman mentioned that she had undergone five terminations.
A British woman named Rae claimed that after being recruited by the church in 2002, she dropped out of Brighton University to pursue her degree.
Then she claimed that Joshua had sexually abused her and had put her through a kind of solitary confinement for two years. At the time, she was just 21 years old.
The BBC further notes that in an effort to expand the church globally and draw significant financial support from pilgrims, Joshua specifically courted white members who traveled to Nigeria in search of his “healings.”
“Former insiders estimate Joshua made tens of millions of dollars from pilgrims and other money streams – fundraising, video sales, and stadium appearances abroad. He rose from poverty to become one of Africa’s richest pastors,” the BBC reports.
In a very religious setting, numerous well-known Nigerian pastors and televangelists have faced allegations of abuse and rape from former members. However, not much has changed as the pastors continue to lead successful lives and draw in more disciples.
“Making unfounded allegations against Prophet TB Joshua is not a new occurrence… None of the allegations was ever substantiated,” the church said of the allegations.
