Pastor Tobi Adegboyega Loses Deportation Appeal Amid Fraud Allegations
A Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has been ordered to leave the United Kingdom after losing his appeal against deportation. The 44-year-old pastor, who led the controversial SPAC Nation church, had contested the deportation, citing family ties and community work.
The immigration tribunal ruled against him, stating that his removal was justified. This comes after an investigation revealed financial misconduct involving £1.87 million in unaccounted funds within SPAC Nation, leading to its closure by the Charity Commission and the High Court over transparency concerns.
Pastor Adegboyega, a cousin of actor John Boyega, argued that his deportation would violate his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). He claimed his community initiatives, which targeted young people in predominantly Black communities, had been praised by public figures, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. However, the tribunal rejected these arguments, describing some of his evidence as “hyperbolic” and his influence as exaggerated.
The Home Office contended that the church had been involved in questionable practices, with former members alleging exploitation, including encouraging followers to take on large debts and commit fraud. The tribunal found these claims credible, noting that SPAC Nation’s leadership had fostered a culture of financial and social manipulation.
In its judgement, the tribunal concluded that Pastor Adegboyega’s removal would not undermine the continuation of SPAC Nation’s work and that his family relationships, established unlawfully during his stay in the UK, could be maintained upon his return to Nigeria.
Adegboyega initially entered the UK in 2005 on a visitor’s visa, which he overstayed. His subsequent applications for legal residency were denied. Despite his claims of political motivation behind the investigations, the court ruled that the decision to deport him was proportionate and lawful.
The case highlights concerns about accountability within religious organisations and the balance between individual rights and immigration enforcement.
