The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) says it has been in limbo since the death of its founder Prophet TB Joshua.
This was stated in a statement released by the church on Thursday after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos approved the appointment of Joshua’s widow, Evelyn Joshua, as a trustee of the religious organisation.
Joshua died on June 5, 2021, a week to his 58th birthday.
He was buried on July 9 at the church’s headquarters in Lagos during a week of elaborate celebration.
Earlier reports that Mrs. Joshua was appointed successor of her husband were debunked by the church.
Ruling on a petition filed by some concerned members of the church, especially Kola Kareem and Moji Oguntoyinbo, on behalf of all the members of SCOAN, Justice Tijjani Ringim on Thursday gave the approval for Mrs. Joshua’s appointment as trustee in line with the constitution of the church which prescribes a minimum of three trustees.
The petitioners had argued that the two surviving members of the board of trustees lacked the legal capacity to make decisions necessary to move the church forward, as the constitution provides for a minimum of three members on the board of trustees.
“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 maintained.
The members instituted the suit against the Incorporated Trustees of SCOAN, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Mrs. Joshua.
They were represented in court by Emeka Ekweozor, while Ossazu Owie represented the first and second respondents.
Another counsel, O.N. Chukwu appeared for the CAC.
All the respondents, through their lawyers, informed the court that they were not opposed to the petition filed under Section 839 (6) (B) of the Companies and Allied matters Act (CAMA) 2020 (as Amended).
With no objections from the respondents, the court wasted no time in granting the approval and the expectation is that the move will provide further clarity on the leadership succession in the church.
Reacting after the judgement, the church said in a statement that it “has been in a limbo since the passing of the man of God, Senior Prophet TB Joshua over the leadership succession in the church.”
