A Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has lost his legal battle against deportation from the UK following allegations of fraud and financial misconduct linked to his controversial church, SPAC Nation.
Despite claiming deportation would breach his human rights, an immigration tribunal ruled that he should be deported to Nigeria.
Adegboyega, 44, who is a cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, had argued that removing him from the UK would violate his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). He cited his marriage to a British woman and his community work with SPAC Nation as reasons for remaining in the UK.
Describing him as a “charismatic” leader, his legal team highlighted his efforts to mentor hundreds of young people, particularly from London’s Black communities, to steer them away from crime. They claimed his work had been praised by prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior Metropolitan Police officials, although no testimony from these figures was submitted.
However, the tribunal noted that the Home Office presented a different narrative. According to the judgment, “Various manifestations of [Mr Adegboyega’s] church have been closed down, by either the Charity Commission or the High Court, because of concerns over its finances and lack of transparency.”
SPAC Nation was shut down after failing to account for more than £1.87 million in expenditures, with allegations that the church encouraged members to take drastic measures to donate money. Former members accused the organization of being a cult, claiming impoverished individuals were urged to take out loans, commit benefit fraud, and even sell their own blood to fund the church.
“It is alleged that the church leadership lead lavish lifestyles and there have, it is said, been instances of abuse,” the judgment stated. “The [Home Office’s] case before us was that all of this needs to be taken into account when evaluating whether [Mr Adegboyega] is in fact of real value to the UK.”
Adegboyega, who overstayed a visitor visa granted in 2005, applied for leave to remain in 2019 under the ECHR. His initial application was dismissed, and his subsequent appeal also failed. The tribunal found his evidence “hyperbolic in many instances” and determined that he had “grossly inflated his influence.”
The tribunal ruled: “We are not satisfied that the good work that SPAC Nation undertakes generally would collapse or even significantly suffer should the Appellant be required to leave the UK.”
It concluded that Adegboyega’s family and private life relationships were established while he was in the UK unlawfully and could continue despite his return to Nigeria. “The interference would therefore be limited, and lawful in all the circumstances,” the tribunal stated. This decision brings an end to Adegboyega’s legal battle to remain in the UK, as he now faces deportation to Nigeria.
