Reactions to the BBC story on TB Joshua have been mixed.
Social media has gone agog, following a three-part expose on the alleged secret lives of the late televangelist, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua) by the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Africa Eye.
The over-150-minute long video, divided into three episodes and published on YouTube, titled, “Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua”, showed video testimonies of several witnesses levelling multiple damning allegations against the late prophet.
The testimonies, from former disciples and church workers, alleged that the prophet allegedly manipulated and physically abused them into staying with him for many years.
Most of them, mostly from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Namibia, and South Africa stated that they spent between 10 and 14 years in the Synagogue based on that manipulation.
The investigation also delved into deeper details into the September 12, 2014 building collapse, where the Synagogue Church of All Nations’ guest house, owned by Joshua, collapsed, killing at least 116 persons who were mostly foreigners.
Reacting, several netizens expressed shock at the testimonies, calling for a deeper probe into the allegations.
A YouTube User, King James, noted, “This is a call for us to be more discerning as believers. There are wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
Another commenter on YouTube, The Mindrest, said, “May the souls of those who lost their lives in that building collapse rest in perfect peace. Amen.
“These disciples must be traumatised. My heart goes out to them. I’m so sorry you guys had to go through this.”
Another user, EmekaNwif, stated, “As a Nigerian, we are tired of fake preachers. They financially extort, are abusive, and corrupt, create discord and manipulate innocent people to their graces all for selfish purposes. Thank you, disciples (especially Sister Bisola) and Ajoke, other victims and BBC for the expose.”
On the other hand, a YouTube user, Cedric YALITA, said, “The more you prosecute us, the more we thrive. For our God is with us. None will be against us. Victory in Jesus’ Name.
“Romans 8:31: ‘What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Isaiah 54:17: ‘No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me.’
“2 Corinthians 4:8-9: ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.’”
Shelacy9wd, another YouTube user, wrote, “Question: If he was a ritualist as alleged are the evangelists under his wife including her as well ritualists? I’m
asking because the same miracles (prophecy excluded) are still happening even after his departure.
“The first video of the deliverance of a woman in black and him in the white suit; I watched it many times on Emmanuel TV and the woman was never
slapped. No physical contact at all. As for the alleged daughter, is there a DNA test? I am just trying to figure out things.”
Bernies5673, wrote, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12”
Another user, Richiekitche, wrote, “Why didn’t you guys take him to court? Even the lady who said he threatened the family, if you focus on what you have lost, you will lose everything. He meant that you should pull yourself together because thinking won’t solve anything. Is that a threat?
“All of you who said you are there in all the events, are you the only disciples working with him? You were there with him when they were constructing the building. All I see is revenge by a family who lost their loved ones and some disciples who felt they had been used.”
Another person commented on an elitist WhatsApp group, “BBC should do a documentary on Britain’s evil slavery and imperialist expansion and exploitation of its former colonies? the murder of Oba Of Benin, Jaja of Opobo and Sultan of Sokoto etc? Bloody fools.”
Meanwhile, the BBC said it reached out to the present leadership of the church for a response, but was given a terse statement, “Making unfounded allegations against Prophet TB Joshua is not a new occurrence. None of the allegations was ever substantiated.”
However, the church did not respond to the specifics of the allegations contained in the documentary.
