Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega is set to be deported to Nigeria following the decision of a UK immigration tribunal. The ruling comes after investigations into financial misconduct at his church, SPAC Nation, which was shut down by UK authorities.
SPAC Nation was closed after it was discovered that Adegboyega failed to account for over £1.87 million in church funds. Reports from The Telegraph state that former church members accused SPAC Nation of being a cult, exploiting vulnerable individuals, and encouraging unethical practices to generate donations.
Adegboyega, who entered the UK on a visitor’s visa in 2005 and has lived unlawfully since, applied for leave to remain in 2019, citing his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). His initial application was dismissed, and his subsequent appeal was also rejected.
Married to a British woman, Adegboyega argued that deportation would violate his family rights and overlook his community contributions. However, the Home Office contended that his actions and financial irregularities undermined his claims of value to the UK.
The tribunal’s judgment highlighted allegations that SPAC Nation encouraged impoverished members to commit fraud, take out loans, and sell blood to fund donations. It also cited claims of lavish lifestyles and abuse among the leadership.
Adegboyega denied these allegations, describing them as politically motivated attacks, and insisted his church was not a cult. Despite his defence, the tribunal upheld the deportation order, marking a significant turn in his long-running legal battle with the UK government.
