The late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan), one of the biggest Christian evangelical groups in the world, was discovered to have perpetrated extensive abuse and torture, according to a two-year investigation by the BBC.
Several ex-members, including five British nationals, have come forward with horrifying claims of horrific acts, including sexual assault, rape, forced abortions, and physical brutality and torture, all purportedly carried out by the late Nigerian TB Joshua.
Shockingly, the accusations cover almost two decades and reveal a pattern of abuse within the Scoan’s secluded Lagos property. Numerous eyewitness stories of child abuse, whipped and chained individuals, and multiple women who allege they were sexually abused by Joshua—some of whom claim to have been raped repeatedly over years—are all included in the investigation.
In addition, disturbingly, there have been numerous claims of forced abortions inside the church after the alleged rapes; one woman disclosed that she had five abortions.
Joshua’s purported “miracle healings,” which were seen by millions of people worldwide, were manipulated, as the BBC’s findings further reveal. One of the victims is a British woman named Rae, who was a student of Joshua’s for 12 years inside the facility. She describes being the victim of sexual assault, being kept in isolation, and making several attempts at suicide as a result of the terrible treatment.
The Scoan has not yet responded to the grave accusations. The Scoan runs the internationally popular Christian TV channel Emmanuel TV. Although TB Joshua, who departed from this life in 2021, was hailed as a captivating televangelist with a sizable worldwide following, these disclosures highlight a more sinister aspect of his legacy.
The victims, who include over twenty-five former followers from Germany, the UK, South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, and Nigeria, compare their experiences to that of a cult. Many joined in their teens, and in some circumstances, Joshua sponsored their transportation to Lagos; these cases were sometimes coordinated with other churches in the UK.
Jessica Kaimu, a resident of Namibia, describes a terrifying five-year ordeal and claims that Joshua first sexually assaulted her when she was seventeen. She alleges that five forced abortions were the result of numerous rapes, characterizing the procedures as risky and potentially fatal.
Once regarded as one of the most significant pastors in African history, TB Joshua’s legacy is currently under intense scrutiny as the BBC’s investigation exposes the murky side of the Scoan and the alleged crimes perpetrated by its late founder. The startling disclosures raise serious concerns about justice, responsibility, and the lingering effects of abuse in religious institutions.
