A Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, whose church was shut down over allegations of financial misconduct, has lost his appeal against deportation from the United Kingdom.
Adegboyega, 44, who is a cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, led SPAC Nation, a controversial church accused of misusing funds and lacking transparency. The church was shut down after failing to account for over £1.87 million.
The pastor claimed that deportation to Nigeria would breach his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), citing his marriage to a British citizen and his community work with SPAC Nation. His legal team described him as a “charismatic” leader who had positively impacted the lives of hundreds of young people, particularly from Black communities in London.
Despite his claims, the immigration tribunal ruled against Adegboyega, highlighting concerns raised by the Home Office. Allegations included the church pressuring impoverished members into extreme measures to donate money, such as taking loans, committing fraud, etc.
The tribunal also noted accusations of lavish lifestyles and abuse among church leadership, undermining Adegboyega’s claims of significant community value.
Having overstayed his visitor’s visa since 2005, Adegboyega applied for leave to remain in 2019 under the ECHR’s right to family life. His application was initially dismissed before his appeal was ultimately rejected.
The ruling marks the culmination of investigations into SPAC Nation, including findings from the Charity Commission and High Court, which had previously raised concerns about its operations.
