Tobi Adegboyega, a Nigerian pastor and former leader of the controversial SPAC Nation church, is set to be deported from the UK following allegations of financial misconduct involving £1.87 million.
An immigration tribunal upheld the decision to deport Adegboyega, 44, despite his claims that the move would violate his human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Adegboyega, who is a cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, argued that his deportation would infringe on his right to a family life, citing his marriage to a British citizen.
SPAC Nation, which Adegboyega led, was shut down after investigations revealed its failure to account for over £1.87 million in expenses and its lack of financial transparency. The Home Office described the church as riddled with misconduct, highlighting closures by the Charity Commission and the High Court due to concerns about its operations.
Adegboyega’s legal team portrayed him as a “charismatic” community leader whose work had positively impacted London’s black communities, particularly its youth. They claimed his interventions steered hundreds away from crime and were praised by politicians, including Boris Johnson, and senior Metropolitan Police officials. However, the tribunal noted that no evidence from these figures was presented to support the claims.
The pastor also argued that his absence would undermine the continuity of community projects he had initiated, which he said would “fall apart or diminish in size” without his leadership.
The tribunal, however, sided with the Home Office, asserting that “all is not as it seems” with Adegboyega’s activities. The judgment noted that multiple manifestations of SPAC Nation had been closed due to concerns over its finances and governance.
Adegboyega’s deportation marks the culmination of a series of investigations into the controversial pastor’s practices, leaving his future in the UK uncertain.
