What is your take on BBC’s investigative story on the late Prophet TB Joshua and his church?

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A few days ago, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released a documentary on the late clergyman and founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua. KINGSLEY ALUMONA sampled the opinions of some Nigerians on this issue. Their views:

Kelly Babatunde

There are genuine sides to a story. An individual could exhibit different personas to different people. Everyone would tell the story from the side they are familiar with. That is why I would not fault anybody’s narrative on this issue because I believe everyone has stated the side that they are familiar with. There may be some embellishments or annotations in each narrative, but I believe they all carry some elements of truth.

Boss Chase

The BBC got it wrong by investigating whether the miracles of TB Joshua were real or not. This should have been done when the man was alive. Besides, the BBC did not question current members of the church. No amount of investigation could confirm if a miracle is real or not. Since he was alive, the investigations have been going on — my pastor once prophesied that the end of TB Joshua was coming. That is how the Nigerian church hated him. Above all, the media should know their limit.

Oluwasegunfunmi Ojerinde

It is high time the late TB Joshua’s family and current management of SCOAN came out and told the world their side of the story. They need to confirm or deny those allegations. A Yoruba adage says “He that hears a one-sided story and judges is an evil-doer.” They should prove that the late prophet’s daughter in the video was who she claimed to be. I am not in support or against the documentary by the BBC. However, we need the truth so that some people would not be led astray.

Gideon godson

In Nigeria, it is believed that once someone is a ‘man of God’ they are untouchable – that any atrocity they commit should be swept under the carpet by people who admire or benefit from such persons. I cannot judge any man. However, when we see a bad omen, we should condemn it. This issue is a norm in some churches and ministries in Nigeria. Go to police stations and see the cases of abuse of female church workers by male pastors/prophets. It is a pity. Christianity is being dragged.

Sola Oluwalana

Anyone can do good deeds. But any real man of God must be born again. We should be able to trace his conversion, discipleship and the group of people/Christians he grew up with. For anyone to suddenly emerge on the scene, performing ‘miracles’, doing philanthropy, and being called a man of God is questionable. When most of someone’s real life is shrouded in secrecy, there needs to be some cleanup. BBC or no BBC, some information has always been in the public domain.

Lekan Ajisegbede

No one has the right to place a conclusive judgment on any person, especially on matters of religion. However, most church founders are agents of darkness. I cannot judge TB Joshua, especially considering his philanthropic achievements. But what is not right is not right. I stopped believing him when he predicted that Hillary Clinton would win against Donald Trump in the election that brought the latter into the American presidency and we all know the outcome. What do you call a prophet whose prophecy fails to come to pass? The Bible is for everyone to read and study.

Ibrahim Musa

BBC is owned by the British, the craftiest nation with diverse agendas. My point is, why now that he is dead and cannot defend himself? Do the whites in his church have a plot to take over the church, which his wife is now in charge of? The alleged victims of TB Joshua, how come they never spoke? How come none had a voice or video record of any of these atrocities? It beats my imagination.

Olanrewanju Topman

Some people would see or hear that their leaders are perpetrating evil and keep mum. It is wrong that some Christians approve a man or woman to be of God because they give gifts and perform signs and wonders. The Bible says you shall know them by their fruits, not by the gifts, signs and wonders they claim to perform. Christians should learn their lessons and stop following fake pastors who are out to deceive people. They should follow pastors who preach the truth in the Bible.

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