Amid the leadership tussle at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), 18 disciples of the late founder of the church Prophet TB Joshua say they are not part of a lawsuit filed against the church’s new leader Evelyn Joshua and other trustees of the church.
Evangelist Joseph David and eight applicants had filed a suit on September 16 at the Lagos State High Court, seeking an order for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, peaceful assembly and association, right to immovable property and freedom of movement among others.

However, in a letter addressed to the church, 18 disciples dissociated themselves from the suit purportedly filed on behalf of the entire disciples and workers of the SCOAN. They said the suit was filed “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 Farr, Ruth Tonge, Christopher Tonge, Seunghwa Lee, Cindy Widjaja, Eli Botonna, Angelique Nyinawintwari and Angela Quintero.
The rest are Allison Sandival, Flor Rodriguez, Fanny Alfred, Racine Bousso, Angela Brandi, Vadim Gbilas and Stella Cambrore among others.

A source in the church quoted by The Nation 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.”
A Federal High Court in Lagos last month approved the appointment of Joshua’s widow Evelyn as a trustee of the SCOAN, making her a substantial stakeholder in the church.