The British government has ordered the deportation of Pastor Tobi Adegboyega to Nigeria after he lost his appeal at an immigration tribunal. The decision comes following allegations of financial misconduct within his church, SPAC Nation, which was shut down by UK authorities for failing to account for over £1.87 million in funds and operating with a lack of transparency.
Adegboyega, who arrived in the UK on a visitor’s visa in 2005, has been living in the country unlawfully since then. He applied for leave to remain in 2019, citing his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights, as he was married to a British citizen. He also highlighted his work with SPAC Nation, claiming it had helped steer young people away from crime and violence.
Despite his appeal, the tribunal ruled that the pastor failed to prove his case. The tribunal noted that SPAC Nation had been investigated and shut down due to financial irregularities and allegations of misconduct. Former members accused the church of exploiting vulnerable youths by pressuring them into extreme measures to donate money, such as taking out loans, committing benefit fraud, and even selling their blood. Some members described the church as a cult, and allegations of abuse were also raised.
Adegboyega argued that his deportation would breach his human rights and disrupt the good work of SPAC Nation. He claimed that attacks on him and the church were politically motivated. However, the tribunal found his evidence unconvincing and described his claims as exaggerated. It concluded that the closure of SPAC Nation was justified due to mismanagement and misconduct within its administration.
The tribunal also noted that Adegboyega’s family and personal ties were established during his unlawful stay in the UK and that his relationships could continue after his return to Nigeria. It determined that the decision to deport him was proportionate and lawful.
The ruling highlights concerns raised by the Charity Commission, which found serious misconduct in the church’s administration. The Home Office emphasized that the deportation aligns with efforts to maintain transparency and accountability in cases involving immigration and misuse of public trust.
Efforts to reach Adegboyega’s legal team for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of this report. The pastor’s deportation marks the end of a prolonged legal battle and underscores the UK government’s stance on ensuring compliance with immigration laws and ethical standards.
