By Wilson Adekumola
With a few hours to the anticipated release of a damaging expose on late Nigerian charismatic pastor, televangelist, and philanthropist, Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as T. B. Joshua, the revelation has hit top of the debate in the Nigerian social media.
As of the time of filing this report, Punch Metro gathered that the trends ‘TB Joshua’ and ‘BBC’ have surpassed 100,000 posts.
This is coming days after the British Broadcasting Corporation stated its readiness to publish a 3-part investigative documentary detailing the alleged atrocities and sexual crimes committed by the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations who passed away on June 5, 2021.
The controversial TB Joshua entertained woshippers worldwide at his multimillion-dollar establishment SCOAN situated in the Ikotun-Egbe area of Lagos State before his sudden death two years ago.
In the 45 seconds teaser released by the BBC, some ‘victims’ recounted their ordeal in the hand of the late cleric.
One victim said, “I thought I would take what he did to me to the grave.” Just as anothered added, “He looked loving not knowing that behind that he was sadist, psychopath.”
“You have no idea of what I went through.” one said, “A lot of women were being abused by this man,” another added.
“I had no idea. I thought I was the only one.”…”You thought you are in the safest place in the world and you’re in the most dangerous place.”…”I didn’t know that thing had happened to anybody else.”…”These are the children of 16, 17 years. He kept all of us in slavery, total absolute slavery,” others said in the snippet.
His death was officially announced through his church’s Facebook page The Synagogue Church of All Nations. on June 6. The preacher died at 2 am on Sunday, June 6 though the cause of his death is yet unknown.
Some of his congregation claim the preacher already knew that he was to die soon.
The ruler of his hometown Oba Yisa Olanipekun told reporters that the preacher had prophesized his departure in his last sermon.
The monarch said, “If you listen to his last preaching two days ago, you will see that he already knew that he is ready to go.”
According to the Church, “On Saturday 5th June 2021, Prophet TB Joshua spoke during the Emmanuel TV Partners Meeting: “Time for everything — time to come here for prayer and time to return home after the service,” T.B. Joshua Ministries wrote in a Facebook post.
“God has taken His servant Prophet TB Joshua home — as it should be by divine will. His last moments on earth were spent in the service of God. This is what he was born for, lived for and died for.”
Reacting to the development, a tweep identified as @Kalu Aja, tweeted,All I see the BBC do are negative stories about Nigeria.No balance.Victim shaming”.
While @NESS tweeted,”The BBC always trying to cause imbalance between us and make us question our selves as people. Always trying to make us the victims and the perpetrators. They are not an organization we should be proud of. I keep saying this all the time.
“Don’t be surprised to see how the BBC will publish an insider on how Peter Obi is a fraud and how he stole Anambra money to build houses, cars and properties in the UK.
“They will leave their own go try and stir uproars and propaganda with ours. Clear example of imperialism, Neocolonialism and modern day gaslighting of Africa and its people.”
Sharing similar opinion, @ChiefHerbalist, tweeted,”There are pedophile ring among the elites in UK parliament, media, police force exposed in the Epstein file, BBC eye has and will never release a documentary on them.
“They are always on the lookout for Africa. As if here is the only crime scene in the world. I don’t trust BBC.”
While Christopher Ofoegbu tweeted,”Both you and @BBCAfrica should be ashamed of yourself. Of all the issues happening in this country, you are feeding us with so called investigative documentary of a Deadman. But turn a blind eye on informations regarding perpetrators of Boko Haram, Corruptions in the country.”
Another tweep identified as @Juicyboy, tweeted,”There are many Pastors and GOs who are alive that BBC can investigate but they choose a dead man that cannot be brought to Justice.
“All i see is content farming disguised as investigative reporting.”
Sharing a different opinion, @Michael Boakye, tweeted,”It’s not about he’s dead so no need. After his death people were still praising him and worshipping him. This must be a warning to all fake pastors out there. Gods wrath will come upon them and expose their evil deeds.”
