Should this have happened to him?
YouTube recently took action by terminating the official channel of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, formerly led by the late Nigerian televangelist cult figure T.B. Joshua, citing a breach of its hate speech policies. The move comes in the wake of investigations conducted by both the BBC and openDemocracy, which brought to light disturbing allegations of sexual abuse and torture linked to Joshua, who passed away in 2021.
In response to inquiries from the BBC, YouTube released a statement stating that Emmanuel TV, the channel that played a pivotal role in Joshua’s global recognition, was terminated due to violations of hate speech policies. Emmanuel TV, boasting over half a million followers and numerous views, faced its second suspension in three years due to policy breaches. Curiously, the church, now led by Joshua’s widow, Evelyn Joshua, has not issued a response to this recent removal.
The investigations revealed the existence of around 50 “abusive” videos on Emmanuel TV’s YouTube channel, resulting in its suspension. The content in question included footage featuring individuals with mental health issues in chains, alleged dissemination of medical misinformation, and smear campaigns targeting women who accused TB Joshua of sexual abuse.
Beyond YouTube’s actions, Emmanuel TV encountered another setback when MultiChoice dropped its satellite channel on Jan. 17. This development impacted the channel’s broadcast on DStv and GOTv, affecting its reach to millions of viewers globally.
The BBC’s extensive two-year investigation into TB Joshua uncovered disturbing allegations of rape and abuse within his Lagos compound. Survivors shared harrowing experiences, describing the place they thought was a sanctuary as a nightmarish ordeal.
Numerous accounts from survivors detailed instances of sexual assault, manipulation, and exploitation within Joshua’s compound. The investigation involved interviews with over 25 eyewitnesses and victims across multiple countries, revealing a distressing pattern of sexual assault and coercion. Alleged victims from the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Ghana, the United States, South Africa, and Germany recounted their experiences, with some incidents as recent as 2019.
Former church members and associates alleged that Joshua, known for his purported “healing” ministries, orchestrated miracles and exploited followers for sexual satisfaction. The investigation highlighted orchestrated healings, with some individuals claiming they were paid actors or manipulated into believing in staged recoveries. Joshua, who had connections with global sports figures, politicians, and celebrities, faced accusations of repeated sexual assaults and coercive practices, including allegations of forcing some victims to undergo abortions.