The founder of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as T.B. Joshua is dead.
He died on Saturday evening in Lagos shortly after concluding a programme at his church.
The cause of death was not immediately disclosed to this newspaper, but family sources said his remains had been deposited at the morgue and an autopsy would be performed forthwith.
Joshua, who is survived by children and a wife, hailed from Arigidi Akoko, in Ondo State.
He founded the Synagogue Church in 1987. The church which has its headquarters in Lagos State accommodates over 15,000 worshippers per gathering. The church currently has branches in Ghana, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Greece.
Joshua is one of the richest and philanthropic pastors in Nigeria. He was estimated to worth over $15m in 2011, by Forbes.
The cleric remained controversial for several years for his inexplicable powers to heal all sorts of incurable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, cancer and paralysis.
Joshua’s healing powers had attracted thousands of people from all over the world to Nigeria.
Joshua owned Emmanuel TV, a Christian television network, and is close friends with some world leaders including former Ghanaian President Atta Mills.
YouTube had recently suspended Joshua over allegations of hate speech and for conducting prayers to “cure” gay people.