NAIJA NEWS
A recent investigation conducted by BBC has brought to light shocking allegations against TB Joshua, the leader of one of the world’s largest evangelical churches, Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).
The investigation, which allegedly involved extensive research across three continents, uncovered claims of systematic sexual abuse and rape committed by Joshua.
Dozens of purported survivors have come forward with testimonies, alleging that Joshua abused and raped young women globally several times a week for nearly two decades.
These startling revelations have sent shockwaves through the evangelical community and beyond.
One notable case highlighted in the investigation involves a 21-year-old woman named Rae.
In early 2002, Rae, a university student in Brighton studying graphic design, suddenly disappeared.
This occurred during a cold English winter, leaving many of her friends and acquaintances bewildered. Known for her brightness and popularity, Rae’s sudden absence raised concerns among those who knew her.
The allegations against TB Joshua represent a significant scandal in the religious world, particularly given his status as a prominent leader in the evangelical community.
The BBC investigation into these claims marks a critical moment in uncovering and addressing issues of sexual abuse within religious institutions.
As the story unfolds, it is expected to draw significant attention and scrutiny, raising questions about accountability and the mechanisms in place to protect individuals from such abuses.
This case also underscores the importance of thorough investigative journalism in bringing hidden crimes to light and providing a voice to survivors.
Carla, Rae’s best friend at the time, said, “For me, it was like she died, but I couldn’t grieve her.”
Carla knew where Rae had gone. But the truth of it was hard to explain to their friends. A few weeks previously, she and Rae had travelled to Nigeria together, in search of a mysterious man who could seemingly heal people with his hands. He was a Christian pastor, with a black beard, in white robes. His name was TB Joshua. His followers called him “The Prophet”.
Rae and Carla planned to visit his church, the Synagogue Church of All Nations [Scoan], for just one week. But Rae never came home. She had moved into Joshua’s compound.
“I left her there,” says Carla, tears flowing freely. “Never will I ever forgive myself for that.”
The church looms like a gothic temple over the Ikotun neighbourhood in Lagos, Africa’s largest city. Joshua designed all 12 storeys of the compound adjoining it, where he lived alongside many of his followers. He oversaw the construction of the multiple staircases to his bedroom. The three doors to it, in and out. The hidden prayer room full of tiny mirrors. The “clinic” downstairs.
We have interviewed many people who lived inside. They paint a picture of a concrete labyrinth; a nightmarish world where reality slipped away and horrors unfolded.
Numerous women say they were sexually assaulted by Joshua, with a number claiming they were repeatedly raped behind closed doors. Some say they were forced to have abortions after becoming pregnant.
Today, Rae is back in England, living in a beautiful hamlet in the countryside. She’s smiley and laughs freely, but there’s something restless about her.
“On the outside I look normal, but I’m not,” she says.
When Rae talks about her years in Lagos, her lips tighten. She talks breathlessly. At times, the colour visibly drains from her face. She spent 12 years inside Joshua’s compound.
“This story is like a horror story. It’s like something you watch in fiction, but it’s true.”
The two year investigation, in collaboration with international media platform Open Democracy, has involved more than 15 BBC journalists across three continents. They gathered archive video recordings, documents, and hundreds of hours of interviews to corroborate Rae’s testimony and uncover further harrowing stories. More than 25 eyewitnesses and alleged victims, from the UK, Nigeria, Ghana, US, South Africa and Germany, have provided accounts of what it was like inside Joshua’s compound, with the most recent experiences in 2019. The Synagogue Church of All Nations did not respond to the allegations, but said previous claims have been unfounded.
Former followers have previously tried to speak out about abuse, but say they have been silenced or discredited by Scoan, and two say they were physically assaulted. When the BBC’s Africa Eye was filming outside the church, a security guard shot above the heads of the crew after they refused to hand over their material.
Many of our interviewees have waived their legal right to anonymity, in most cases asking just their surnames be omitted. Others asked that their identities remain hidden for fear of reprisals.
The man at the heart of Scoan is regarded as one of the most influential pastors in African history. He died, unexpectedly, in June 2021, just days after many of our first interviews were recorded. On the day of his funeral, Lagos ground to a halt as mourning crowds packed the streets.
Some 50,000 people would attend Joshua’s services every week, and the church became a top site for foreign visitors to Nigeria. His global television and social media empire was among the most successful Christian networks in the world, with millions of viewers spanning Europe, the Americas, South East Asia and Africa. His YouTube channel had hundreds of millions of views.
