In a groundbreaking investigative report, the BBC, in collaboration with international media platform Open Democracy, has uncovered a distressing pattern of abuse and torture within the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), led by the late televangelist TB Joshua.
The two-year investigation delves into the testimonies of more than 25 former "disciples," including five British citizens, who recount their traumatic experiences spanning almost two decades.
Allegations range from physical violence, torture, and child abuse to multiple instances of rape, forced abortions, and manipulated miracle healings orchestrated by Joshua himself.
The BBC's findings include shocking eyewitness accounts of disciples being whipped, chained, and subjected to a form of solitary confinement. Multiple women reveal disturbing stories of sexual assault and rape, with some enduring forced abortions as a result. The investigation also exposes the manipulation behind the so-called "miracle healings" broadcasted to millions worldwide.
One survivor, identified as Rae, spent 12 years inside Joshua's compound, describing it as "heaven turned hell." She details sexual assault, solitary confinement, and multiple suicide attempts. The report highlights the coercive tactics employed by Joshua to maintain control over disciples, comparing the experiences to those of a cult.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, SCOAN has chosen not to respond to the specific claims made by the survivors. The church's statement emphasizes that previous accusations against TB Joshua were unfounded. This investigation, the first time multiple former insiders have come forward on the record, sheds light on the challenges faced by survivors attempting to expose the truth.
The BBC's efforts to record footage of the church's Lagos compound were met with resistance, with the crew fired upon by church security. Former disciples who previously spoke out against the abuse claim to have faced physical attacks and, in one instance, gunfire. The BBC has also revealed that four British citizens who reported abuse to UK authorities saw no further action taken.
As the shocking details of the investigation emerge, the legacy of TB Joshua, once hailed as one of the most influential pastors in African history, takes on a darker hue. SCOAN, now led by Joshua's widow, Evelyn, continues to operate, raising questions about accountability and the need for a thorough investigation into the church's practices. The survivors' hope is that their testimonies will spur action, preventing further exploitation and bringing justice to those who suffered within the walls of SCOAN
