Tobi Adegboyega, a Nigerian pastor based in the UK, has lost his appeal against deportation after being accused of financial misconduct within his church, SPAC Nation.
The 44-year-old, who is the cousin of actor John Boyega, led the now-defunct SPAC Nation, which faced allegations of financial mismanagement and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
The controversial church was shut down after the UK Charity Commission found “serious misconduct and/or mismanagement” in its financial dealings, particularly its failure to account for over £1.87 million in expenses.
Former members described SPAC Nation as a “cult” that pressured individuals into taking loans, committing fraud, and even selling their blood to fund church activities.
Adegboyega argued that deporting him to Nigeria would violate his human rights, citing his right to family life, as he is married to a British woman.
His legal team highlighted his work with vulnerable youth in London, claiming he had helped hundreds of young people avoid trouble.
Adegboyega also contended that his presence was crucial to the success of various community projects.
Despite these claims, the Home Office disputed his appeal, presenting evidence that the church’s practices were harmful, and questioning the true extent of Adegboyega’s contributions.
The tribunal also noted that the pastor had overstayed his visitor’s visa since 2005, living in the UK unlawfully for nearly two decades.
The tribunal dismissed Adegboyega’s appeal, stating that his family ties, established while he lived in the UK illegally, were not sufficient to prevent his deportation.
The judgment emphasized that the pastor’s claimed contributions to the community were exaggerated, with the tribunal considering it “implausible” that he had single-handedly managed the various projects he claimed responsibility for.
Furthermore, the court referenced the Charity Commission’s findings, which accused the church of financial mismanagement and exploitation.
The tribunal ruled that deporting Adegboyega was “wholly proportionate,” given his unlawful stay in the UK and the allegations against him.
Adegboyega’s lawyer, Dele Olawanle, rejected the ruling, asserting that deportation should be reserved for criminals.
He maintained that despite issues with SPAC Nation, Adegboyega had not been personally convicted of any crime. Olawanle also criticized the negative portrayal of Adegboyega, claiming that many of his detractors were from the African community.
In related news, the involvement of major lenders like HSBC and Amigo Loans in the SPAC Nation scandal has come under scrutiny.
MPs are investigating the role of these institutions in providing loans for fraudulent activities linked to the church, raising concerns over the finance industry’s failure to adequately vet such transactions.
