Bribe Saga: Journalist Writes To Nicholas Ibekwe

Over the weekend, reports went viral that Prophet T.B. Joshua of the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN) had bribed some journalists covering the Synagogue collapse with 50,000 naira each.
Several responses had trailed Nicholas Ibekwe’s claim that the prophet bribed journalists. Some had commended him for his courage to stand up for the truth while others criticized him for accusing a man of God.
The latest response is from freelance journalist, Ihechukwu Njoku,who often writes for T.B. Joshua and Synagogue church.

Nicholas Ibekwe

In his open letter titled: “The ‪#‎TBJoshua Bribe Saga: Another Perspective..“, Ihechukwu firstly thanked Nicholas for letting integrity in his journalistic pursuits lead and also for standing up for his moral principles.
Giving his two cents on the bribe saga, the journalist said Joshua is a good giver and anyone who knows about SCOAN will testify to that.
He recalled when he first met Joshua who didn’t know he was into journalism and the man of God gave him N10,000 for transport without him asking.
According to him, the money given by Joshua to the journalists did not change the facts being reported by the media about the incident.

Prophet T.B. Joshua

Ihechukwu said: “Don’t think I am naïve! Of course, the money offered by Joshua to you and other journalists last week was certainly influenced by the situation on ground. However, it does not change the truth that this has been Joshua’s habitual practice, not only to journalists but to anyone he meets. Don’t judge by my perception alone, ask anyone who has met him and has not left with some form of blessing.
“Besides, what facts are really there to be ‘covered up’ by this‘bribe’ in an international incident of this magnitude? The money, either received or rejected, didn’t change the facts that the media reported.”
He stated that there was more to T.B. Joshua than could be appreciated just by a one-time encounter in a challenging situation.
He described Joshua as an unusual man with attitudes so rare to find in Nigeria.
“After all, for over 360 South Africans to take the long journey to Lagos, ignoring the fears of Ebola and Boko Haram, show he certainly has something worth looking at.
“He is a fresh exception to the ‘money-mongering’ ‘private-jet-boasting’ lifestyles of most Naija men of God today. Joshua lives simply, drives simply, dresses simply, talks simply… he is hands-down the most humble, generous and unusual man I’ve met,” he said.
Ihechukwu therefore urged Nicholas to take some time and watch Emmanuel TV, and listen to what the prophet has to say over a significant period of time and then he can arrive at his conclusion.
The collapse of a guests house belonging to the Synagogue church on September 12 has been trailed with a lot of controversies.
Some University dons in the United States of America have said T.B. Joshua should be arrested and tried while a Human rights group has given Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola seven days to arrest the the prophet.