Mr Joshua described the story as “malicious” and a “propaganda”, while quoting a portion of the Bible that suggested he was being victimized. But he did not explain how his name and that of his wife appeared in the document.
Despite documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES from the massive data leak from Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca, clearly showing the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Temitope Joshua, and his wife, Evelyn, incorporated a company in the British Virgin Islands, a known tax haven, the preacher has denied he owns the company.
Our story had revealed that the influential televangelist incorporated a shell company, Chillion Consultancy Limited, on June 20, 2006.
Mr. Joshua and his wife own one ordinary share each, although the company, with registration number 1033675, is authorized to issue a maximum “50,000 no par value Shares of a single class”.
The document also revealed that Chillon Consultancy Limited has no physical address but uses the office address of its registered agent, Mossack Fonseca (Akara Bldg., 24 De Castro Street, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola) as its contact information in the British Virgin Island.
In a statement which was posted with a photograph of a PREMIUM TIMES’ reporter on his church’s Facebook page, the clergy, who had ignored multiple opportunities offered to him by this newspaper to respond to our findings before the story was published, said he was shocked by our report.
Mr Joshua described the story as “malicious” and a “propaganda”, while quoting a portion of the Bible that suggested he was being victimized. But he did not explain how his name and that of his wife appeared in the document.
“I was shocked to find a report written in Premium Times claiming that the Panama Papers revealed a shell company called Chillon Consultancy Limited in the British Virgin Islands, allegedly owned by me,” Mr. Joshua wrote.
“Whoever is involved in this malicious write-up and propaganda with an obvious intent to defame my person and the ministry, remember what the Bible says in Luke 2:34 – “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many… and to be a sign that will be spoken against”.
“Do not use the Panama Papers to attack those you have been looking for an opportunity to victimise. This is to show that not everybody alleged in the media to be involved in the Panama Papers is truly involved. My own case is a good example.
“Beware of those using the Panama Papers for fraudulent purposes! This is a very big mistake the fraudsters have made. Those who read this report – take time to do your findings. It is malicious,” he said.
The pastor alleged that the PREMIUM TIMES was using the #PanamaPaper leak to victimize innocent people.
“Do not use the Panama Papers to attack those you have been looking for an opportunity to victimise. This is to show that not everybody alleged in the media to be involved in the Panama Papers is truly involved. My own case is a good example.
“Beware of those using the Panama Papers for fraudulent purposes! This is a very big mistake the fraudsters have made. Those who read this report – take time to do your findings. It is malicious.”
“I am not a businessman and have no business whatsoever. What God has given me is more than enough. I have nothing to do with the Panama Papers. As for me and my family, we shall remain in the vineyard of God,” he said.
The statement, further accused our reporter of leading a “gang” which has been threatening his ministry since the September 12, 2015 collapse of Mr. Joshua’s church building that killed 116 people.
Our reporter had revealed how the pastor bribed journalists to present him in a positive light after the incident.
It was later revealed that the church did not obtain the requisite approval before the building was erected. The board of trustees of the church alongside the contractors responsible for the building are being prosecuted for manslaughter.
“Premium Times – do not allow your company to be used. Do not allow your company to stand against God. This is a lie! Take note – this news was written by the same journalist who alleged that I bribed him during the building incident and went to different channels – both local and international – to propagate these fabrications,” the clergy warned.
He also accused this reporter of being the leader of a gang threatening his ministry.
“Since the building incident, there have been a series of threats towards the ministry and my person by this same journalist, Nicholas Ibekwe, who represents a gang of people.
“After everything that has been done in an attempt to destroy this ministry, this is what he has resorted to. Even the picture used in the write-up is taken from the Mexico Crusade I recently held. It was a crusade I went for, nothing more.”