Several years after his passing, new allegations have surrounded the late T.B. Joshua. He was a prominent Nigerian megachurch preacher. A recent investigation by the BBC unveils a disturbing narrative of alleged sexual abuse and rape spanning three continents.
Survivors, numbering in dozens, shared harrowing experiences of enduring abuse within Joshua’s 12-story living compound adjacent to the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, Nigeria.
Contrary to the widely projected image of a divine prophet, the survivors describe a nightmarish existence inside Joshua’s compound. One survivor, Rae, expressed,
“We all thought we were in Heaven, but we were in Hell,” recounting 12 years of trauma.
Multiple women claimed that Joshua, known for his global connections with sports stars, politicians, and celebrities, subjected them to frequent sexual assaults behind closed doors. Disturbingly, some alleged victims disclosed that when pregnancies resulted from these assaults, they were coerced into having abortions.
The Synagogue Church of All Nations has yet to respond to these serious allegations, maintaining that previous accusations against Joshua were baseless. The extensive investigation involved collaboration with 15 BBC journalists, who interviewed over 25 eyewitnesses and victims across the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Ghana, the United States, South Africa, and Germany, detailing life within Joshua’s compound as recently as 2019.
T.B. Joshua gained worldwide recognition for his claims of miraculous healings, including curing ailments like cancer, HIV/AIDS, blindness, and chronic migraines. Solomon Ashoms, a journalist covering African religion, highlighted the allure of Joshua’s mysteries and secrets that drew followers globally.
One survivor, Rae, shared her journey, having been raised as a conservative Christian and struggling with her sexuality.
However, a South African acquaintance introduced her to Joshua’s ministry. Having sought deliverance in Lagos, hoping to change her sexual orientation through prayer. Witnessing what seemed like miracles, she became entangled in the religious fervor, only to later disclose instances of sexual assault.
Former church member Agomoh Paul, Joshua’s No. 2 for a decade, alleged that the miracles were meticulously planned productions. He revealed that some individuals claiming healing had been paid to act, while others were unwittingly drugged or given medication to enhance their conditions before testifying to miraculous recoveries.
Rae and other survivors revealed a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse, with some women allegedly assaulted two to four times a week during their stay on Joshua’s compound. Victoria, identified as a recruiter, claimed her role was to select young women from the congregation for Joshua, while another woman, Bisola, asserted that she was tasked with finding virgins for the preacher.
The unfolding story paints a starkly different picture from the one projected by T.B. Joshua’s public persona, raising serious questions about the nature of the widely acclaimed miracles and the dark underbelly of power and influence within his ministry.
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