By Ajibola Aminu
Disciples of the late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua, have distanced themselves from a lawsuit against the church.
Eighteen disciples of the late prophet have dissociated themselves from a suit filed against Mrs. Evelyn Joshua and the Registered Trustees of the Church at the Lagos State High Court.
Evangelist Joseph Omojevbe David and eight applicants in suit No: 10/11915/MF HR/2 of 16 September 2021, are seeking an order for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights, dignity of human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, peaceful assembly and association, right to immovable property and freedom of movement among others.
However, the 18 followers of the late Joshua, in a letter addressed to the church, dissociated themselves from the suit.
According to report, the petitioners said the suit purportedly filed on behalf of “the entire disciples and workers of SCOAN was without our knowledge or consent and we strongly object to any legal action being taken on our behalf.”
They added, “As a settled family under God, we trust Him to lead us in peace as the ministry moves forward in its new phase.”
Signatories to the letter include: Annette Easting, Catherine Ann Farr, Ruth Christine Tonge, Christopher Dennis Tonge, Seunghwa Lee, Cindy Elizabeth Widjaja, Eli Botonna, Angelique Nyinawintwari and Angela Patricia Quintero.
The rest of them include: Allison Polo Sandival, Flor Perez Rodriguez, Fanny Else Alfred, Racine Bousso, Angela Marie Brandi, Vadim Gbilas and Stella Cambrore.
A source in the church said: “Some of these members have even agreed to come back to the service of the church, as it was agreed that they have only proceeded on leave. However, they must be prepared to align themselves with the existing structure.”
Another source said the letter is a positive step towards resolving the crisis that has engulfed the church in recent weeks.
A Federal High Court in Lagos last month approved the appointment of Mrs Joshua, as a trustee of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), in line with the church’s constitution.
Justice Tijjani Ringim made the order while ruling on a petition filed by two SCOAN members, Kola Kareem and Mrs. Moji Oguntoyinbo, suing for themselves and other members.
They prayed the court to appoint Mrs.Joshua as a trustee in line with SCOAN’s constitution, which prescribes a minimum of three members on the church’s Board of Trustees (BoT).
Mrs.Joshua, according to them, would fill the vacuum created by her husband’s death.
The petitioners argued that the two surviving trustees, being unable to form a quorum, lacked the legal capacity to make the decisions necessary to move the church forward.
“In the circumstances, it became imperative for an additional trustee to be appointed to fill the vacancy created by the untimely death of the deceased Founder,” they said.
