Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka recently discussed his prior conversations about the late Pastor TB Joshua with the former governor of Lagos State in light of the BBC’s documentary on the controversial cleric. Soyinka disclosed that he had taken the initiative to examine TB Joshua’s background before the pastor’s passing.
Speaking during the Punch 50th Anniversary Public Lecture on “Recovering The Narrative,” Soyinka revealed the behind-the-scenes talks, mentioning that the Lagos State governor had informed him about intentions to initiate legal proceedings against TB Joshua. However, the pastor eluded legal accountability by leaving the country.
Soyinka’s remarks come following the BBC’s January 2024 release of a three-part documentary exposing alleged instances of abuse, forced abortions, physical torture, and staged miracles attributed to TB Joshua. The documentary featured interviews with former members and employees of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, who claimed to have endured prolonged mistreatment.
Commenting on Nigeria’s religious landscape, Soyinka observed, “Considering the prevalent religious atmosphere here, perhaps the closest description for creativity is akin to the phenomenon of spiritual influence.” He acknowledged the controversy sparked by the BBC documentary and shared his observations on TB Joshua’s character.
“I dedicated some time to study TB Joshua while he was alive. I conversed about him with the then-governor of Lagos, who had intentions to pursue legal action against him. However, he departed, eventually relocating to Latin America,” Soyinka recounted.
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