A Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has lost his legal battle to remain in the United Kingdom after an immigration tribunal ruled in favor of his deportation to Nigeria. The 44-year-old, who is a cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, led SPAC Nation, a controversial church shutdown over allegations of financial misconduct involving £1.87 million.
The church faced scrutiny for its failure to account for millions in outgoings and was criticized for its lack of financial transparency. Investigative reports, including those from The Telegraph, revealed significant misuse of funds, prompting the authorities to take action.
Mr. Adegboyega argued that deportation would violate his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as he is married to a British citizen. He also cited his community work with SPAC Nation as a factor the Home Office should consider in his favor.
However, the tribunal dismissed his appeal, concluding that his human rights claims did not outweigh the public interest in his removal.
Tobi Adegboyega, described by his legal team as a “charismatic” community leader of a large and well-organized church, has been portrayed as a figure who made a significant impact on the lives of “many hundreds of young people” from predominantly Black communities in London. His supporters argued that he led vulnerable youths away from crime and hardship through his church’s initiatives.
However, the tribunal heard a different narrative from the Home Office, which contended that “all is not as it seems.” According to the judgment, multiple branches of Adegboyega’s church, SPAC Nation, had been shut down by either the Charity Commission or the High Court due to serious concerns over financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency.
Exploitation Allegations
Disturbing allegations emerged from former church members, who described SPAC Nation as a cult-like organization that exploited vulnerable individuals. Members were reportedly pressured to donate money by any means necessary, including:
- Taking out large loans
- Committing benefit fraud
- Selling their own blood
These claims painted a picture of a church prioritizing financial gain over the welfare of its members, many of whom were impoverished and desperate.
Immigration Status
Adding to the controversy, it was revealed that Mr. Adegboyega has been living in the UK unlawfully since overstaying a visitor’s visa that allowed him entry in 2005. His unlawful residency status, combined with the serious allegations surrounding SPAC Nation, ultimately led to the tribunal’s decision to uphold his deportation.
