The United Kingdom Immigration Upper Tribunal has accused Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, founder of the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC Nation), of exaggerating his community impact in his appeal to remain in the UK. The 44-year-old pastor had sought to prevent his deportation, citing his humanitarian work and influence on troubled youths in London.
Key Allegations
1. Exaggeration of Contributions
The tribunal claimed Adegboyega “grossly inflated” his contributions to community projects, describing his claims as “hyperbolic” and unsupported by substantial evidence.
– The court noted that his assertions about endorsements from the Metropolitan Police, Downing Street, the Mayor of London, and the Home Office were unsubstantiated.
– Specific claims, such as his role in calming tensions after the “fascist uprising” of August 2024, were dismissed due to a lack of corroborative evidence.
– His statement about visiting Downing Street “countless times” was also deemed implausible.
2. Implausible Workload
Adegboyega’s account of a packed daily schedule—including multiple church events, personal visits to congregants, and supervising community projects—was considered unrealistic by the tribunal.
– Judges Bruce and Rastogi opined that the responsibilities he described were more likely distributed among SPAC Nation’s many pastors and supporters.
3. Unlawful Stay and Marriage
– The court ruled that his marriage to a British citizen and his claims of influence were insufficient to outweigh his immigration violations.
– Adegboyega’s continued stay in the UK after his visitor’s visa expired in 2005 was cited as a breach of immigration laws.
Tribunal’s Conclusion
The tribunal insisted that Adegboyega’s work could continue without his presence in the UK and ordered his deportation.
“There was nothing before us from the Metropolitan Police, Downing Street, the Mayor of London, or the Home Office endorsing his work. We are satisfied that he has sought to grossly inflate his influence,” the court stated.
Adegboyega, known for his extravagant lifestyle, has faced criticism over alleged financial misconduct. A BBC documentary accused him of misappropriating church funds meant for community programmes. While no criminal charges were filed, investigations by the UK Charity Commission revealed financial irregularities, leading to SPAC Nation’s closure in 2022.
Despite these controversies, Adegboyega has denied any wrongdoing, attributing his opulent lifestyle to his wife’s financial support.
Pastor Adegboyega has the option to appeal the tribunal’s decision to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales within 28 days. Meanwhile, he has continued to dismiss the allegations, describing the ruling as insignificant and vowing to remain unshaken.
