A former disciple of the late Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, also known as TB Joshua, named Paul Agomoh, has revealed that he had to go into hiding for almost eight years after attempting to expose the activities of the late pastor. Agomoh shared this information with journalists following the screening of a 150-minute-long investigative report by BBC Africa Eye titled “Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua.” The report featured testimonies from former disciples and church workers accusing the late prophet of manipulation and physical abuse. The screening took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Monday evening.
Agomoh, who claimed to be the first prophet under the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), explained that after leaving the church, he faced persecution from loyalists of TB Joshua who believed that his revelations were blasphemous. He was pursued across Cotonou, Lagos, and Ghana, and for eight years, he lived in hiding with the help of pastors and friends. Agomoh acknowledged the support of the BBC and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share his experiences.
The Archbishop of the African Church, Abuja, Peter Ogunmuyiwa, commented on the investigative report, stating that it was not an indictment of the church but rather of the late Pastor TB Joshua. He emphasized that since no court had charged TB Joshua before his demise, he couldn’t be labeled a criminal. Ogunmuyiwa expressed sadness over such reports and called for legislative measures to regulate churches and license seminaries that train pastors.
He urged the government to introduce legislation to regulate religious bodies, ensuring that ministers are well-trained and recognized by the state. Ogunmuyiwa emphasized the need for proper education and certification for individuals claiming to be pastors, similar to the regulation of universities by government bodies.
