In a forthcoming three-part documentary, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is set to expose the alleged atrocities and sexual crimes committed by the late Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as TB Joshua. The investigative piece, based on interviews with at least 30 former members and workers of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), is scheduled to kick off on January 8.
The documentary reveals a dark side to the life of the deceased SCOAN founder, outlining instances of abuse, harassment, rape, manipulation, and staged miracles. The sources claim that although the church was aware of these allegations, they never initiated any investigations. The alleged sexual crimes are said to have spanned over two decades.
One part of the documentary exposes how SCOAN allegedly misled its congregation about the collapse of one of the church’s guesthouses in 2014. The BBC reports that a video shown on Emmanuel TV portrayed a misleading narrative, suggesting an aircraft was involved. Former worker Emmanuel and a British woman named Rae, both featured in the documentary, debunked this narrative, asserting that the collapse resulted from structural defects ignored by Joshua.
Survivors of TB Joshua’s alleged sexual exploitation shared their experiences of manipulation and silencing. Women who were part of TB Joshua’s discipleship disclosed incidents of molestation and rape, with some recounting threats to ensure their silence. The survivors claim that TB Joshua justified the assaults by asserting they were for their salvation.
Women who became pregnant from the alleged assaults narrated being coerced into having abortions at a clinic within SCOAN. Abisola, who spent 14 years in the church, revealed she was raped throughout her stay. One woman, assaulted at the age of 17, shared her horrifying experience, emphasizing that the assaults were under the pretext of spiritual salvation.
The BBC’s investigation also uncovered the orchestrated management and exaggeration of miracles showcased on television by SCOAN. The documentary alleges that individuals were instructed to amplify their problems for healing, and their subsequent healing was exaggerated to appear “perfected by God.”
Another aspect of the investigation focuses on how TB Joshua treated the daughter he had out of wedlock. Ajoke, now 28, revealed that she was ostracized and abused after confronting her father about allegations of sexual abuse within the church. She described enduring isolation, indoctrination, and even contemplated suicide.
The documentary, set to air for three consecutive weeks, paints a disturbing picture of the practices within SCOAN and raises questions about the church’s handling of these allegations during TB Joshua’s lifetime.