BBC World Service’s investigation unit, BBC Africa Eye, has uncovered evidence of widespread abuse and torture by the founder of one of the world’s biggest Christian evangelical churches. In a three-part television documentary, Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua, and a new nine-episode season of the World of Secrets podcast, dozens of the former members of the Synagogue Church of all Nations allege atrocities, including rape and forced abortions, by the late TB Joshua.
The allegations of abuse in a secretive Nigerian compound span almost 30 years. More than 25 former members spoke to the BBC – from the UK, Nigeria, US, South Africa, Ghana, Namibia and Germany – giving powerful corroborating testimony about their experiences within the church, spanning three decades up to 2019. The British victims were all between 15 and 21 years old when they joined the church. Multiple BBC interviewees compared their experiences to like being in a cult.
The BBC Africa Eye findings over a two-year investigation include:
- Dozens of eyewitness accounts of physical violence or torture carried out by Joshua, including instances of child abuse and people being whipped and chained
- Numerous women who allege they were sexually assaulted by Joshua, with a number claiming they were repeatedly raped for years inside the compound
- Multiple allegations of forced abortions inside the church following alleged rapes by Joshua, including one woman who says she had five terminations
- Multiple first-hand accounts detailing how Joshua faked his “miracle healings” which were broadcast to millions of people around the world
Upon his death in June 2021, TB Joshua was hailed as one of the most influential pastors in African history. Rising from poverty in Nigeria in the 1990s, he built an evangelical empire stretching across the globe, and counted among his associates dozens of political leaders, celebrities and international footballers.
The BBC’s investigation is the first time multiple former church insiders have come forward to speak on the record. They say they have spent years trying to raise the alarm, but have effectively been silenced.
A number of witnesses in Nigeria claim they were physically attacked, and in one case shot at, after speaking out against the abuse and posting videos containing allegations. A BBC crew that attempted to record footage of the church’s Lagos compound from a public street in March 2022 was also fired at by the church’s security, and was detained at gunpoint for hours.
Four of the British citizens who spoke to the BBC say they reported the abuse to the UK police after escaping the church, and were referred to Interpol. They claim no further action was taken.
In addition, a British husband and wife sent eyewitness accounts of their ordeal, and video evidence, to the British High Commission in Nigeria in March 2010 after fleeing the church. The woman said she was repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped by Joshua. They warned the commission that other British nationals were still inside the compound facing atrocities. They also claim no action was taken.
The Synagogue Church of All Nations continues to thrive today, under the leadership of TB Joshua’s wife, Evelyn. In July 2023, she led a tour of Spain.
The BBC contacted the current leadership of the Synagogue Church of All Nations with the allegations in this film. They replied: “Making unfounded allegations against Prophet TB Joshua is not a new occurrence […] None of the allegations was ever substantiated […]”
They did not respond to the detail of the allegations.
A spokesperson for UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “We take all reports of crime, including sexual assault and violence against British nationals overseas, very seriously […] We always encourage British nationals who want to raise rape and sexual assault allegations, whether current or historic, to contact our consular teams who can support them to report these to the authorities.”
Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua, from the BBC World Service in co-production with openDemocracy, is available for viewing in the UK via BBC iPlayer and internationally on BBC World Service YouTube channel. The new season of the podcast World of Secrets – The Disciples is available on BBC Sounds and most podcast platforms. It will also be broadcast on BBC World Service radio in a six-week series from 04.30 GMT on Wednesday 10 January. Read the story on the BBC News website.
BBC Africa Eye investigation Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua was filmed, produced and directed by Charlie Northcott and Helen Spooner
- Executive producer – Monica Garnsey
- BBC Africa Eye Editor – Tom Watson
- Executive Editor – Liz Gibbons
World of Secrets – The Disciples is presented by Charlie Northcott and Yemisi Adegoke and is a BBC Audio Documentaries production for the BBC World Service
- Producer – Rob Byrne
- Executive Producer – Georgia Catt
- Series Editor – Philip Sellars
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