Fraud in Synagogue Church as TB Joshua drags photographer to court

TB Joshua

A serious crisis is currently brewing at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Lagos, as a 35-year-old photographer, Ganiyu Olusegun, has been accused of defrauding the church by fraudulently reproducing the anointing water of its General Overseer, Pastor Temitope Joshua, in order to sell it.

The inglorious incident, SHOWBIZPLUSng gathered happened on the Lagos Island, Lagos State.

The police said Olusegun, in connivance with other suspects who were at large, also forged the pastor’s books and a compact disc entitled, ‘As it was, so it is.’

He was said to have been arrested with 76 packs of the books and 45 cartons of the CD.

The prosecutor, Inspector G.O Osuji, said after learning about the forgery, the church wrote a petition to the police.

It was learnt that investigations led to the arrest of the defendant, while his accomplices escaped.

He was arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s court on three counts of forgery.

The charge reads in part, “That you, Ganiyu Olusegun, and others at large, between January and February, 2014 on the Lagos Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial Distict, with intent to defraud did forge compact disc titled, ‘As it was, so it is’, anointing water books written by Prophet T.B. Joshua of Synagogue of All Nation….

“That you did deceitfully and fraudulently produce some quantity of Synagogue Church of All Nation’s anointing Water for the purpose of selling same to the public….”

Osuji said the offence was punishable under sections 409, 363 and 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty and elected summary trial.

His defence counsel, O.L Sodiq, while urging the court to admit him to bail in liberal terms, argued that he was a first time offender.

The magistrate, Mr. K.O Ogundare, admitted him to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till April 17, 2014
Punch