Pastor TB Joshua allegedly subjected members to abuse and torture for over 20 years, according to a new BBC report.
For two years, the BBC investigated the famous Nigerian televangelist who built a huge global following during his lifetime.
TB Joshua, who died in 2021, saw members from all over the world flock to his Lagos-based church, Synagogue Church of All Nations, for his internationally televised ‘miracles,’ ‘healing,’ and ‘deliverance’ sessions on Emmanuel TV.
Hundreds of ex-Synagogue Church of All Nations members have now labelled the church “a cult” and accused Joshua of rape and forced abortions, “including instances of child abuse and people being whipped and chained,” according to the BBC.
According to the ex-members, the incidents occurred in a Lagos compound.
Several women claimed in the three-part documentary that Joshua sexually assaulted and raped them for years inside the compound.
Some members also claimed that after Joshua raped them, they were forced to have multiple abortions inside the church. One of the women stated that she had five abortions.
Victims accounts:
Rae, a British woman, said she dropped out of Brighton University in 2002 after being recruited by the church. “We all thought we were in heaven, but we were in hell, and in hell, terrible things happen,” she said in an interview with the BBC.
Then she claimed Joshua sexually assaulted her and subjected her to a form of solitary confinement for two years. She was only 21 at the time.
For the documentary, the BBC said it spoke with more than 25 former “disciples” from the United Kingdom, Nigeria, the United States, South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, and Germany.
According to the BBC, Joshua courted white members who came to Nigeria specifically for his “healings” in order to grow the church internationally and attract large amounts of funding from pilgrims.
“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.
Many Nigerian televangelists and famous pastors have been accused of rape and abuse by ex-members in the past in this highly religious environment. However, little has come of it as the pastors continue their careers and gain new followers.
“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.
