UK to Deport Controversial Nigerian Pastor Tobi Adegboyega Following £1.87 Million Fraud

Tobi Adegboyega, a Nigerian pastor at the heart of a major £1.87 million fraud investigation, has suffered a significant legal setback after his appeal to avoid deportation from the United Kingdom was rejected.

Despite his arguments that deportation would violate his human rights, particularly under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the immigration tribunal ruled that Adegboyega, 44, will be deported back to Nigeria. This decision comes in the wake of allegations of financial misconduct tied to his controversial church, SPAC Nation.

Adegboyega, who is also a cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, had been in the UK since 2005 on a visitor visa, but he overstayed his visa and applied for leave to remain in 2019, citing his marriage to a British citizen and his community outreach work. He argued that his deportation would interfere with his right to family life, as well as disrupt important community initiatives he had started in London, particularly those aimed at helping young people, especially within the Black community, stay away from crime. His legal team painted him as a “charismatic” leader who had made a positive impact on hundreds of lives, with some members of the public and prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior Metropolitan Police officers, purportedly praising his work. However, these claims were not substantiated by any concrete evidence in court.

The Home Office, however, presented a starkly different view of Adegboyega’s activities, focusing on the troubled history of SPAC Nation, which has been embroiled in controversy for years. The church had been shut down after numerous concerns were raised about its financial practices and lack of transparency. The tribunal heard that several branches of SPAC Nation had been closed by the Charity Commission and the High Court due to serious concerns over financial mismanagement. Former members of the church described the organization as a cult, alleging that vulnerable young people were coerced into making large financial donations through extreme methods, such as taking out loans, engaging in benefit fraud, and even selling their blood to raise money for the church.

In addition to these allegations, the tribunal was told that leaders within SPAC Nation lived lavishly, with allegations of abuse further tarnishing the organization’s reputation. The tribunal’s findings also included criticism of Adegboyega’s personal role in the operations of the church, with many members arguing that he had exaggerated his influence and contributions. In response to the tribunal’s questioning, Adegboyega denied all allegations, including claims that SPAC Nation operated as a cult, dismissing them as unfounded.

However, the tribunal was not convinced by his defense. The judges described his claims as “hyperbolic” and noted that they found no evidence to support his assertions about his positive influence. Furthermore, they concluded that the community work Adegboyega claimed he was carrying out would not be significantly affected by his absence. The tribunal ultimately determined that SPAC Nation’s operations would continue without him, and the work he had initiated in the UK would not collapse in his absence.

The tribunal also considered the legalities of his stay in the UK, noting that Adegboyega had been living in the country unlawfully for an extended period. Despite his claims that deportation would disrupt his family life and hinder his charitable efforts, the tribunal ruled that the decision to deport him was both “proportionate” and “lawful.” It further determined that Adegboyega’s family and private life could continue in Nigeria, which the tribunal argued would not infringe on his human rights as he had lived in the UK unlawfully for years.

The deportation order comes after a comprehensive investigation by the Charity Commission, which revealed “serious misconduct and mismanagement” within SPAC Nation over an extended period. Despite Adegboyega’s denials and his attempts to justify his presence in the UK, the tribunal upheld the decision to remove him from the country. This ruling marks the conclusion of his legal battle to remain in the UK and signals a significant chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of SPAC Nation and its financial practices.

Kindly follow Ekwutosblog for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.