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Nigerian Pastor Tobi Adegboyega
Key Takeaways
- Deportation Over Financial Misconduct
The UK court dismissed Tobi Adegboyega’s appeal against deportation due to allegations of financial misconduct and mismanagement within his church, SPAC Nation, which failed to account for over £1.87 million in funds.
- Controversial Church Operations
SPAC Nation faced accusations of being a “cult,” exploiting vulnerable members through coercive practices such as encouraging loans, benefit fraud, and even blood sales, all to fund the church’s activities.
- Tribunal’s Verdict
The tribunal ruled that Adegboyega’s claimed community contributions were exaggerated and that his family ties, established unlawfully in the UK, did not outweigh the public interest in his deportation.
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Pastor Tobi Adegboyega Not Facing Deportation from the UK, Lawyer Confirms
Contrary to recent media reports, Pastor Tobi Adegboyega is not facing deportation from the United Kingdom.
This clarification comes from his lawyer, Dele Olawanle, who dismissed the claims as unfounded and rooted in ignorance of immigration law.
False Deportation Claims Addressed
In a statement posted on his X account (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Olawanle described the deportation rumors as baseless.
He emphasized that deportation typically applies to individuals with criminal convictions, noting that Pastor Adegboyega has neither a criminal record nor a history of wrongdoing.
“Deportation is for criminals,” Olawanle wrote.
“Tobi has lived in the UK for over 20 years without a single criminal conviction and has contributed significantly to the British community.”
The lawyer highlighted that while Pastor Adegboyega and SPAC Nation faced challenges with the Charity Commission and the courts, Adegboyega was never personally found guilty of any misconduct.
Clarifying Pastor Adegboyega’s Legal Status
Olawanle expressed amusement at the sensationalist nature of the reports, attributing them to misinformation and a lack of understanding of UK immigration laws.
“Journalists covering this issue lack basic knowledge of immigration laws,” he stated.
“I have represented Pastor Adegboyega both personally and in matters related to his ministry, and I can confirm he is not facing deportation.”
The lawyer also criticized society’s eagerness to celebrate others’ perceived failures, particularly within the African community. He called for more empathy and factual reporting instead of spreading false narratives.
Contributions to the Community
Pastor Tobi Adegboyega has made notable contributions to the UK over the last two decades.
Described by his lawyer as a “winner” who has overcome significant challenges, Adegboyega’s work in the community has had a meaningful impact.
Despite public scrutiny surrounding SPAC Nation, Olawanle reiterated that Adegboyega’s record remains untarnished.
Lawyer’s Final Comments
In his concluding remarks, Olawanle affirmed his stance on the matter:
“I have said that this latest news on deportation is false, and I will make no further comments on this matter privately or officially.”
The lawyer urged the public to refrain from making uninformed statements and to verify facts before drawing conclusions.
STATEMENT BY TOBI ADEGBOYEGA’S LAWYER
People with calls and text messages have inundated me since last night.
I could not stop laughing when I read that Tobi Adegboyega faces deportation from the United Kingdom. The newspaper that carried the news was ignorant. I have acted…
— Dele Olawanle (@dolawanle)
Nigerian Pastor Tobi Adegboyega
A UK immigration tribunal has dismissed Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega’s appeal against deportation, following accusations of financial misconduct within his controversial church, SPAC Nation.
The decision marks the end of a long legal battle that has drawn significant public attention.
Who is Tobi Adegboyega?
Tobi Adegboyega, 44, is a Nigerian-born pastor and cousin to Star Wars actor John Boyega.
He led SPAC Nation, a now-defunct church that was shut down after the UK Charity Commission uncovered “serious misconduct and mismanagement” in its financial dealings.
Investigations revealed the church failed to account for over £1.87 million in outgoings, leading to its closure.
Former members of SPAC Nation described the organization as a “cult” that preyed on vulnerable individuals, coercing them into taking loans, committing benefit fraud, and even selling their blood to donate money. Despite these allegations, Adegboyega denied any wrongdoing, claiming the accusations were politically motivated attacks on his work.
Details of the Deportation Case
In his appeal, Pastor Adegboyega argued that deporting him to Nigeria would breach his human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
He cited his right to family life, as he is married to a British woman, and claimed that his absence would harm the community-focused initiatives of SPAC Nation.
His legal team presented him as a charismatic community leader who had “positively influenced” hundreds of young people in London, particularly from Black communities, steering them away from crime and gang activity.
However, the UK Home Office challenged these claims, stating, “All is not as it seems.”
The tribunal ruled that Adegboyega’s contributions to the community were exaggerated and found that his evidence was often hyperbolic, undermining his credibility.
Findings Against SPAC Nation
The tribunal referenced multiple investigations, including reports from the Charity Commission and The Telegraph, which highlighted serious financial misconduct within SPAC Nation.
Allegations against the church included:
- Encouraging impoverished young members to take large loans and commit benefit fraud.
- Exploiting individuals by coercing them to sell blood to meet donation demands.
- A lavish lifestyle allegedly maintained by church leadership at the expense of vulnerable followers.
These findings played a critical role in the tribunal’s decision, which concluded that Adegboyega’s presence was not indispensable to the UK.
Adegboyega’s Immigration History
Tobi Adegboyega arrived in the UK on a visitor’s visa in 2005 and has lived unlawfully ever since.
He first applied for leave to remain under the ECHR in 2019, citing his right to family life.
This application, however, was dismissed, with the tribunal ruling that his private and family relationships, formed during his unlawful stay, did not outweigh the public interest in deporting him.
The tribunal further stated that SPAC Nation’s operations would not have collapsed without Adegboyega’s presence, as he had grossly inflated his influence within the organization.
Conclusion of the Case
The tribunal ultimately ruled the decision to deport Adegboyega was “wholly proportionate.” Despite claims that his community work was vital, the court found that his family and professional ties to the UK could be maintained after his return to Nigeria.
The case of Pastor Tobi Adegboyega sheds light on the complexities of immigration law, financial accountability within religious organizations, and the balance between individual rights and public interest.
By addressing allegations and reinforcing transparency, this decision marks a significant development in UK immigration enforcement.
