ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The BBC has exposed evidence of widespread abuse, including rape and torture, orchestrated by late TB Joshua, the founder of one of the world’s largest Christian evangelical churches.
Dozens of former members, including five British individuals, have come forward with allegations spanning nearly two decades against the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) leader.
The investigation reveals:
Numerous accounts of physical violence, child abuse, and torture attributed to Joshua, including individuals being whipped and chained.
Multiple women alleging sexual assault and enduring repeated rapes within the church’s compound.
Claims of forced abortions following the alleged rapes, with one woman stating she underwent five terminations.
First-hand accounts exposing how Joshua allegedly fabricated “miracle healings” broadcasted to millions worldwide.
Former disciples, including a British woman named Rae, described their experiences within the church as resembling a cult. Rae, who spent 12 years in the compound, detailed sexual assault, solitary confinement, and multiple suicide attempts.
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The SCOAN, which did not respond to the allegations, previously dismissed such claims as unfounded. The church, now led by Evelyn Joshua, continues to thrive.
The BBC’s investigation, conducted with open Democracy, marks the first time multiple former church insiders have spoken on the record, despite years of attempting to raise alarms. Witnesses reported being physically attacked, silenced, and detained for speaking out against the abuse.
The British citizens who reported the abuse claim that their reports to UK authorities received no further action. Concerns about ongoing atrocities were also communicated to the British High Commission in Nigeria in 2010.
Survivors hope for a thorough investigation into TB Joshua’s actions and believe there may be many more victims yet to speak out against the Synagogue Church of All Nations.
According to Anneka, she believes there are many victims yet to speak out. In addition, a British man and his wife emailed eyewitness accounts of their ordeal and video evidence – including recordings of being held at gunpoint by men describing themselves as police who are also members of Scoan – to the British High Commission in Nigeria in March 2010 after fleeing the church.
In his email, the man said his wife had been repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped by Joshua. He warned the commission that other British nationals were still inside the compound facing atrocities.
The UK Foreign Office did not respond to these claims, however, told the BBC that it takes all reports of crime, including sexual assault and violence against British nationals overseas, very seriously.
Anneka, who left Derby in the UK to join Scoan at the age of 17, told the BBC she believes there are many other victims who have yet to speak out. She hopes further steps will be taken to uncover Joshua’s actions.
“I believe the Synagogue Church of All Nations needs a thorough investigation into why this man was able to function for so long the way he did,” she said.