As the late Nigerian preacher TB Joshua faces allegations of rape, torture, and abuse from former followers, we look back at his special friendship with Ghana's former president John Atta-Mills, who died in office in 2012.

Atta-Mills, who served as president from 2009 to 2012, was a regular visitor to Joshua's church, the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), in Lagos, Nigeria. He credited Joshua for his victory in the 2008 Ghanaian presidential election, and often sought his counsel and prayers.

In 2009, Atta-Mills attended a thanksgiving service at SCOAN, where he delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing his gratitude to God and Joshua for their role in his life and the affairs of Ghana.

He then shared a prophetic message he received from Joshua about the outcome of the election, which turned out to be accurate.The late president of the Republic of Ghana then said a heartfelt prayer to God saying, "My prayer to God is to give me nothing but wisdom, wisdom to undertake my responsibilities, give me a big heart to play the role that Himself has chosen for me."Atta-Mills died on 24 July 2012, at the age of 68. He was the first Ghanaian president to die in office. His vice-president, John Dramani Mahama, was sworn in as his successor.TB Joshua, who died on 5 June 2021, at the age of 57 was among the dignitaries who attended Atta-Mills' funeral in Accra. He was also one of Africa's most influential evangelists, with millions of followers across the continent and beyond. He was seen as controversial and faced accusations of hate speech, fraud, and sexual abuse.He was the founder of SCOAN, a Christian megachurch that runs the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos, Nigeria.

Read a transcript of his statement below."I want to thank the Almighty for making it possible for me to be here this morning to take part in this Thanksgiving service. I am no stranger to the synagogue; indeed, I've been coming here very regularly, and I've known the man of God for more than 10 years. Indeed, I first met him when I was the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, and I've continued to maintain the relationship ever since.

What I've seen today is a rather humbling experience for me. You remember a few weeks ago, I came around, and when I was interviewed, I made reference to the fact that I will be contesting for the presidency in Ghana in December elections. Now, if there is anybody who does not believe in God, I would say that our elections should change that person's mind and let him believe in God.

We prayed for peace and stability and unity for our dear nation before, during, and after the election. We cry to God because he is our creator and the provider of all these. God gave us more than we asked for.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, the man of God took special interest in what was happening with the organization of prayer groups and all, and I know that many of my brothers and sisters in the congregation also took it upon themselves to pray not only for our Atta-Mills but for all the competitors and also for Mother Ghana.

I thank you all, and I would urge that we continue to pray not only for Atta-Mills but for Mother Ghana so that we remain united, stable, and we enjoy peace. The words of our national anthem or some of the words say that God should bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.

This is what I would wish for our dear nation. There were times when, as a human being, the body was weak but the soul was willing. Sometimes one began to ask questions, and on such occasions, I would call the man of God or he would call me and say, "How are you now?" Let me just say one thing.

When I told him that our elections would be on December 7th and that there was a possibility that the results would be announced on the 8th, 9th, or 10th of December, he looked at me for some time, smiled, and said, "I don't see it that way. I can see three different elections ahead of you, and the results are going to be declared in January."

I was asking myself if there is a runoff, and the runoff is usually on the 28th of December. Give ourselves two days for the Electoral Commissioner to come out with the results. Well, how possible that would run into January? Well, I kept these words at the back of my mind.

We had the elections, all right, on December 7th. There was a runoff on December 28th, and then we had a third election in one constituency, and the results were announced in January.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, God is all-knowing, God is omnipresent, omniscient, and indeed the only repository of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. My prayer to God is to give me nothing but wisdom, wisdom to undertake my responsibilities, give me a big heart to play the role that Himself has chosen for me.

And we should always remember that nobody came into the world on his or her own. The creator brought us into this world and he directs our affairs. I believe that the elections in Ghana have changed the minds of many people. I believe there are many people who are going to give themselves to God because of what has happened and would always want God's name to be glorified.

I come here as the same old John Evans Atta-Mills. I may probably have a title, but I'm the same person, and I will continue to come here whenever the opportunity offers itself because there is strength in fellowship, there is strength in sharing views and ideas with like-minded people.

My brothers and sisters, we are all the same children of God. Let's help one another, let's hold each other's hands, and whatever happens to us, let's give praise to the Almighty God. Man of God, I want to thank you, and I want to thank the Almighty for using you and many others. God, we thank you for your glory. May your name be praised forever and ever."