The British government is set to deport popular pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, to Nigeria following his loss at an immigration tribunal.
Reports from Nationnewslead reveal that Adegboyega’s church, SPAC Nation, was previously shut down by UK authorities after investigations uncovered financial irregularities and a lack of transparency within its leadership.
The authorities found that Adegboyega could not properly account for over £1.87 million in church expenditures. According to The Telegraph, the tribunal’s ruling came after thorough investigations into the pastor’s activities.
Adegboyega initially arrived in the UK on a visitor’s visa in 2005 but has lived in the country unlawfully since then. In 2019, he applied for leave to remain, citing his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
While his application was initially dismissed by a first-tier tribunal, he appealed the decision, arguing that deportation would violate his human rights and disrupt his community work with SPAC Nation. Adegboyega, who is married to a British woman, described himself as a charismatic community leader who helped hundreds of young people, particularly from London’s Black communities, steer away from trouble.
His legal team further claimed that his work had been praised by prominent politicians, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and senior figures within the Metropolitan Police. However, no formal testimony from these individuals was presented in court.
The Home Office, however, argued otherwise, stating that “all is not as it seems.”
In its judgment, the tribunal noted several troubling findings, including allegations from former SPAC Nation members that the church operated as a cult. These allegations include claims that young, impoverished members were pressured to take out large loans, commit benefit fraud, and even sell their own blood to make donations.
The tribunal further highlighted concerns about lavish lifestyles reportedly enjoyed by the church’s leadership and accusations of abuse. The Charity Commission had also concluded that there was serious misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the charity over a sustained period.
Adegboyega refuted these claims, describing them as politically motivated attacks and asserting that no criminal charges had been filed regarding the church’s finances. He argued that deportation would breach his human rights.
However, the tribunal found his evidence to be “exaggerated and inflated.” It stated, “We are not satisfied that the good work SPAC Nation undertakes would collapse or even significantly suffer should the appellant be required to leave the UK.”
The tribunal ruled that Adegboyega’s family and private life relationships, established during his unlawful stay in the UK, would survive his return to Nigeria. The judgment concluded that the Home Office’s decision to refuse him leave to remain was lawful and proportionate.
As a result, the pastor now faces deportation to Nigeria.
