On the early morning of Monday, January 8, the British Broadcasting Corporation unveiled a three-part documentary featuring former followers of the late Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, commonly known as TB Joshua, who leveled accusations against the deceased leader.
The allegations included various forms of physical abuse, manipulation, fake miracles, rape, and forced abortions.
Even before his demise at the age of 57 in June 2021, following a reported stroke, TB Joshua faced numerous controversies.
The three-part documentary, spanning over 50 minutes each, further claimed that the prophet concealed the true cause of the 2014 collapse of the church’s guest house, resulting in 116 deaths, with 84 being South Africans.
Despite the shocking revelations from ex-disciples hailing from different countries, including South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Nigeria, the followers of TB Joshua appeared unfazed by the accusations.
Contrary to the social media buzz surrounding the BBC documentary, the vicinity of the church in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos State, was bustling with commercial activities when Saturday PUNCH visited on Wednesday.
Life went on as usual for the area’s residents, with shops selling various items, a nearby restaurant playing music, and a betting shop filled with young men. T. B. Joshua Street leading to the church prominently displayed large photos of the late prophet and his wife.
While the church itself remained locked, adherents of the late prophet’s doctrine were allowed to pray on the church street.
Some worshippers prayed fervently in front of the cleric’s photos, touching the displayed faces before starting their prayers. Only church workers were observed entering and leaving the premises.
Investigations revealed two types of church workers: disciples who lived in the church and worked directly with TB Joshua, and others employed in various departments like sanitation, medicals, and food. A former worker disclosed that a weekly workers’ service was held every Tuesday.
In 2021, the church reported receiving over 50,000 weekly visitors for its Sunday service. Data from the Nigeria Immigration Service indicated that a significant portion of foreign travelers coming to Nigeria were SCOAN-bound.
The church also provided accommodation to worshippers at competitive rates in dollars, covering seven days, two meals a day, and additional amenities.
Depending on accommodation type, fees ranged from $800 for shared bunks to $4,000 for a five-star room, while VIP rooms cost $12,000 to $15,000 per week.
Upon arriving in the area, our correspondent was approached by a man named Uche and his wife, assuming the reporter had come to stay for the church’s service.
They actively sought individuals seeking affordable accommodations, as local hotels charged around N15,000 per night.
Uche, seemingly under the influence of alcohol, asserted that nothing had changed since the BBC documentary, as people continued to flock to the area seeking solutions to their problems.
Our correspondent was directed to a hostel accommodation with bunk beds, where Janet, a visitor from Abuja, expressed hope for a miracle despite the recent allegations, remaining unmoved by the revelations.
“That’s how it usually is, even right from when the ministry started. Just forget about what they are saying. Whether good or bad, anything social media, I don’t believe. Don’t be discouraged,” Jane told our correspondent thinking she was talking to a potential convert.
She added that she was committed to the church and followed it.
“I always follow them on Emmanuel TV. We only do services on Sundays, before then, if you want to pray you walk around the church premises and pray.”
As our correspondent was about to leave the room, another worshipper arrived from the North to take part in the church’s activity.
Nevertheless, Uche recommended to our correspondent the importance of securing her reservation in advance, cautioning that affordable lodging options near the church are likely to be fully booked before Sunday.
Adedayo Adekanbi, the President of the Pilgrims Hostels Association of Nigeria in Ikotun, informed our correspondent that despite a decline in patronage since the passing of the SCOAN founder, the allegations against the late cleric would likely attract a surge of curious individuals and worshippers to the area soon.
He said, “Since T. B. Joshua died, things have been very slow but the wife is trying. People are still lodging but it is not like it used to be when the man of God was alive.”
“Although there is no programme currently going on in the church now when the general overseer announces any programme, you will see people trooping out en masse to attend.”
“All our agents are still lodging people. You know, it is a church of God. No matter the condemnation, the church has come to stay. I don’t believe in whatever people are saying to blacklist the man.
Furthermore, Jennifer, a receptionist at a hotel situated along the church street, characterized the accusations as advantageous for local traders, referring to them as “good business.”
“Any time you hear this kind of news, be prepared to see a large crowd of people coming here, and it is good business for us too,” she added.
During Saturday Punch’s visit, Mrs. Folasade openly expressed her unwavering support for T. B. Joshua.
A prominent yet fading photograph of the late cleric adorned the entrance of her residence, located on a street just opposite the church.
In a demonstration of her deep devotion to the man and his teachings, she proudly presented what appeared to be an identification card featuring T. B. Joshua’s face.
Upon inquiry about her affiliation with the church, the elderly woman joyfully produced the ID card, partially concealed by the wrapper tied to her chest.
“You don’t even need to ask,” she said proudly as she pulled it out.
Despite the unfavorable report, Mrs. Folasade is one of the numerous worshipers who firmly believe that the late Ondo-born prophet could not have committed any wrongdoing.
She said, “It is not the first time that we would hear those kinds of things about our pastor. It won’t stop us from being loyal to him.
This Sunday (tomorrow), you will see for yourself whether the news will stop you from receiving your healing so that you can confirm what we say about the church.”
Tope, another follower, asserted that those making accusations were envious of the generosity displayed by the founder of SCOAN.
She said, “Those people (former disciples) were talking nonsense. I will continue to follow T.B. Joshua. Do you know what T.B. Joshua has done for foreigners?
“He built schools for them and trained their children in the best universities. They (the former disciples) just want to collect money. If the Synagogue decides to use one as a scapegoat, the lies will stop.
Joshua, who passed away recently, was renowned for his philanthropy. Numerous instances on Emmanuel TV showcased him generously providing cash, food, and scholarships to those in need.
One beneficiary, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed to Saturday PUNCH that she was a former employee grateful for his generosity.
Recounting her days in the church said, “On Tuesdays, we had workers’ service and that service alone was more than what some churches have on Sundays.
Sometimes on that Tuesday, everyone was sure of getting something to go home with. It got to a point where it seemed like it was our way of life.”
She also disclosed that she had been a beneficiary of one of his scholarship programs.
She added, “No one needed school fees and it got to him and he didn’t provide. Some of the people who took part in that (BBC) interview were people who made the process difficult.
“If he approved money to be given to someone as school fees and it went through them (the accusers), there was a 90 per cent chance that the real beneficiary would not get the full amount, that is if they would get any at all.
“My first-year school fees came from him. Some of those people accusing him were the ones who didn’t let me get the full sum I was supposed to get. He gave me N95,000 cash but I didn’t get the others because of the people who were in charge.”
She mentioned that the sole accusation against the late T.B. Joshua that she could concur with was his struggle with anger management.
“I lived in a discipleship for six months. The only part I agree with is that he had anger issues. When he got angry, everyone took cover. I even remember that once, he told the church to pray for him that he had anger issues.”
Chima, a local resident who operates a tricycle in the vicinity, expressed skepticism about the documentary despite not being a member of the church.
“The thing is that people are looking for ways to bring down the church but the church is progressing. Since the man died, a lot of people have been saying bad things about him.
“It is going to be three years since the man died and they’re bringing up these allegations. Who will answer them? If you are here to get deliverance, receive your deliverance and go your way,” he said.
However, even though media accounts attribute the church’s statement to the effect that the individuals featured in the BBC documentary were unfamiliar to it, Dare Adejumo, the Public Affairs Director of the church, informed Saturday PUNCH that SCOAN had not issued any official comments.
When questioned about the likelihood of the church providing a response, he remarked, “I cannot provide a definitive answer as they are currently addressing the matter.”
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