Wow, there might just be many things behind the collapsed Synagogue building than we thought as new stories surrounding the incident unfolds everyday.
So, yesterday, it was revealed that Prophet T.B Joshua had a close door meeting with some journalists regarding the collapsed building. At the end of the 'meeting,' he gave them N50,000 each to fuel their cars or transport back home.
However, one journalist, Nicolas Ibekwe, refused the token which he labelled as 'bribe' and went ahead to leak the audio conversation of the closed door meeting.
He also slammed the Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola, for having a closed door meeting with Prophet T.B Joshua without the presence of any journalist. He also said TB Joshua should be charged with murder.
Meanwhile, read below the conversation that ensued in the closed door meeting between T.B Joshua and the journalists as transcribed from the audio tape.
TB Joshua: I want to thank you you very much for your patience and for and for your time. Infact, if I finish talking to you now, you will see, just pass through over two thousand people I'm attending to. They are from all over the world. No single Nigerian. I'm 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 50,000 each for fuel. To buy fuel for your car.
(Speaks to his staff) I think you have it there, so you hand over to them. Then the cassette, they need one, one cassette.
A 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 (Is your camera recording, you know it's not necessary. It's a private issue (several confirmations its not being recorded).
A 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 don'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's Ambassadors are here, Ghana's Ambassadors, they are here. They want to see their people. It is a very complicated issue.
A journalist: Sir say something, A sympathy comment.
TB Joshua: No no no, it is too early now. Lets finish the whole thing. Have you been there?
All: Yes
A 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.
A journalist: We commiserate with you the church, what we expect is if you can't give us a later day maybe you can give us an official statement outside the official one. You know when there is no information outside, people will continue to give rumours.
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 cant you talk of those who have been rescued. You should have started from life first.
Female journalist rephrases statement: OK, so.. some people have been rescued, some people unfortunately have gone?
TB Joshua: I 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't you hear what I said in the church, I talk of the hero and 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.'
All Journalists: Thank you sir, thank you sir. God bless sir yes sir..
TB Joshua: SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WRITE NOW?
All speaking concurrently: (Giggles) Just like you said, what you said.
They all exchange pleasantries with laughter.. Fades out!So, now, the journalist who refused to collect the 'fuel' money has claimed they (Synagogue) are asking him to stop exposing what they discussed in the meeting.
According to him, they are even calling his friends and family asking them to warn him to stop but he has vowed not to stop.
See his yesterday's tweets below:
It seems there's really more to the collapsed building than we all have been told by the Synagogue officials if Nicholas Ibekwe's tweets are anything to go by.
Journalist Nicolas Ibekwe, u are looking for notice. when did fuel money become bribe? then all d money u have be collecting from people when u go to cover things they are also bribe. Nicolas watch ur back stop spoilin d name of d man of God.
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