The Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN) responded to the BBC documentary investigating its founder, the late Temitope Babatunde Joshua, also known as TB Joshua. The church dismissed the documentary as baseless, emphasizing that the individuals interviewed were unfamiliar to the church. In a statement signed by Public Affairs Director Mr Dare Adejumo, SCOAN aimed to clarify and counter the public perception influenced by the report.
The BBC’s investigative unit, Africa Eye, accused TB Joshua of various crimes, including rape, in a controversial documentary released on Monday. SCOAN criticized the investigation, asserting that it deviated from ethical journalism principles, lacking fairness, balance, and objectivity. The church accused the BBC of adopting fictional narratives and propaganda, undermining the principles of true journalism.
According to SCOAN, the BBC’s report insulted professional and public intelligence, deviating from the true impact of TB Joshua’s positive legacies on earth. The church highlighted the numerous beneficiaries of TB Joshua’s miracles and grace, criticizing the BBC for disregarding their positive experiences.
SCOAN argued that the BBC could have sought direct experience by visiting the church instead of relying on manipulated individuals, some of whom had questionable backgrounds. The church questioned the logic of the BBC’s claim that TB Joshua was involved in abuses for over two decades, expressing disbelief in the station’s perception of Nigeria’s governance and legal system.
Dismissing the documentary as a biased attempt to tarnish the church’s reputation, SCOAN suggested that envy from the sponsors might be the motivation. The church thanked the BBC for exonerating TB Joshua’s wife from any wrongdoing but criticized the illogical portrayal of a woman silently witnessing alleged misconduct for decades.
In conclusion, SCOAN condemned the BBC’s report, sought God’s forgiveness for the sponsors, and noted that persecution of divine envoys or servants of God was not unprecedented in history.
