UPDATE ON SYNAGOGUE: “I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO REJECTED THE N50K BRIBE OFFERED TO JOURNALISTS BY T.B JOSHUA. “ ~ NICHOLAS IBEKWE Have you heard? If you have not, please read the details below and also read the transcript of the audio clips and draw your own conclusions. One Nicholas Ibekwe, a journalist whose picture appeared below, had on the 19th of September 2014 published an audio recording of T.B Joshua offering N50k to each journalist after a close conversation with them on the collapsed building. He had alleged that the purpose of that was to get a favorable coverage for his church and that he was the only journalist who rejected the money claiming it was bribery. He then called on government to charge T.B Joshua for murder. This allegation has brewed up a lot of controversies between the church’s followers and their critics. While adherents of the church were of the opinion that T.B Joshua being a man noted worldwide for his magnanimous nature, extended an innocent gift and should not be read as a bribe. They had accused Nicholas of trying to gain a cheap publicity. On the other hand, their antagonists strongly advocated for the law to take its full course alleging that T.B Joshua used that N50k token to buy their conscience and dissuade them from revealing the true facts concerning the incidence of that 12th September building collapse to the agitated public. Nicholas on how he had been able to survive the name callings he got so far, he said: “I can deal with the trash and name- calling. But I’m not so naïve. I’ve made plans to evacuate my family to safety at the shortest notice in case things escalate. I hope they don’t. But one can never be so sure with these fundamentals….They said I’m an attention freak; that I published the audio clip because I yearned to be a social media celebrity( whatever that means). Well, I won’t lie; I enjoyed the 15 minutes of fame. I loved the thrill of being in the eye of the storm. In case my accusers are reading this, I got over 2,000 followers on twitter within the period. I don’t know what to make of that yet. I ‘m not so sure about this Twitter thing but if there’s a way I can covert that to money that would be something. Ggbenga Olorunpomi, how much does one twitter follower exchanger for a dollar these days? “ On why he published the tape, he said : “T.B Josua is perhaps the most powerful preacher in Africa and politicians all over the continent frown at him. But as watchdogs, journalists must hold entrenched powers to account. If Nigerian politicians don’t realize that more than 90 lives had just perished underneath a building without requisite permit and that those responsible should be held accountable, then the responsibility falls on journalists to force them to do the right thing… Journalists shouldn’t be seen or heard telling the prime suspect they would write ‘just like you said’ after he offered to buy their conscience with N50, 000.” Please read below the full transcript from the audio and judge. TB Joshua: I want to thank you very much for yout patience and for your time. In fact if I finish talking to you now, you will see, just pass through over 2 thousand people I’m attending to. They are from all over the world. No single Nigerian. I am attending to them. So I asked them to give you a copy of the cassette. There is 750 thousand which at least, it will be 50 thousand each for fuel. To buy fuel for your car. ( Speaks to his staff) I think you here have it there, so you hand over to them. Then the cassette, they need one, one cassette. Unknown Journalist: But man of God, we were expecting that you would come up with an official statement. TB Joshua: I have said it, you know I’ve talked to you. Unknown Journalist: The one in the church was not audible enough. We need something substantial for us to air. TB Joshua: Ok but you know we have to leave the security people to do their job. I do’t want to interfere. I don’t want a situation where I will become a hindrance. Because the country, the ambassador of America, the UK, they have sent me a letter and I greet them. South Africa Ambassador are here, Ghana Ambassador, they are here. They want to see their people. It is very complicated issue. Unknown Journalist: Sir say something. A sympathy comment. TB Joshua: No no no. It is too early. Let’s finish the whole thing. Have you been there? All chorused: Yes Unknown Journalist: So sir are we expecting you to call us back? TB Joshua: By the grace of God…and I will be very happy if you can help me correct some of the things that is inside the papers. Unknown Journalist: We commiserate with you and the church, what we expect is if you can give us a later date maybe you can give us an official statement outside the official one. You know there is no information outside. People will continue to give rumors. TB Joshua: Which official statement do you want me to give? Female Journalist: We know investigation is ongoing at the moment. We know some lives have been lost, some people are in the hospital. TB Joshua; why can’t you talk of those who have been rescued. You should have started from life first. Female Journalist rephrased statement: Ok so some people have been rescued, some people unfortunately have gone. TB Joshua: want to assure you that a lot of people got rescued there. Many of them are even at the prayer now. Some people that are in the hospital are recovering. Journalist: eh eh like so commiserate with them. Female Journalist: So can we say you are wishing them quick recovery and you are sympathizing with them? TB Joshua: Can you hear what I said in the church? I talk like a hero and a Martyr. I talk like a man of God. I can’t talk of death inside the church. You know people will begin to say Oh I salute the martyr. Journalists: Thank you sir..God bless you sir.. TB Joshua: So what are you going to write now? Several speaking concurrently: Just like you said…what you said. They chatter as he exchanges pleasantries with then…Laughter and it fades out. ********* So guys, do you think he actually offered them bribe or he was just following the normal norm of giving journalist cash or gifts as appreciation for covering both private and governments events. Please be the judge.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 11:38:48 +0000
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