Tobi Adegboyega, a well-known Nigerian pastor based in the UK, is facing imminent deportation after losing his appeal in relation to an alleged £1.87 million fraud that resulted in the closure of his church, SPAC Nation.
In his appeal against deportation, Adegboyega argued that this action would violate his rights under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding family life, as he is married to a British woman. He also contended that the Home Office’s efforts to deport him did not adequately consider his community contributions through SPAC.
As reported by the UK Telegraph, an immigration tribunal has ruled that Tobi Adegboyega, cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, should be deported back to Nigeria following investigations that revealed financial misconduct by his church.
The reports indicate that Adegboyega’s church was shut down due to its failure to provide proper accountability for over £1.87 million in expenses and its overall lack of transparency. The tribunal noted that “various manifestations of his church have been closed down by either the Charity Commission or the High Court due to concerns about its financial practices and transparency,” citing the extravagant lifestyles of the church’s leaders as examples of misconduct.
Former church members allege that the organization functions like a cult, coercing financially vulnerable young people to make extreme financial sacrifices, such as taking out large loans, committing benefit fraud, and even selling their blood to contribute money.
Mr. Adegboyega claimed that his work was recognized by politicians and senior police officials, but no testimonies were provided in court. He argued that his absence from London would negatively impact the projects he managed. Allegations were made regarding the church’s leadership living lavishly and instances of abuse, which the Home Office argued should be considered in evaluating Mr. Adegboyega’s value to the UK. Additionally, the tribunal found his evidence to be exaggerated, inflating his influence.
The tribunal found it unlikely that Mr. Adegboyega could personally manage all the work he claimed. They determined that the beneficial activities of SPAC Nation would not substantially suffer if he left the UK. Ultimately, they concluded that refusing him leave to remain was a reasonable decision, noting that his family and private life connections had developed while he was unlawfully in the UK and would continue even if he returned to Nigeria. The tribunal asserted that the impact on him would be limited and lawful.
An investigation by The Telegraph revealed that Adegboyega has been in the UK unlawfully since overstaying his visitor visa from 2005. In 2019, he applied for leave to remain based on the European Convention on Human Rights’ family life provision, but his initial application was rejected. During the tribunal, he argued that no criminal charges had been brought against anyone regarding his church’s finances, that criticism of him and SPAC Nation was politically charged, and that allegations of it being a cult were unfounded.
The tribunal was informed that the Charity Commission found evidence of serious misconduct and mismanagement in the charity’s administration, occurring over an extended period.The tribunal was informed that the Charity Commission found evidence of serious misconduct and mismanagement in the charity’s administration, occurring over an extended period.