Tobi Adegboyega, a Nigerian pastor and leader of the controversial SPAC Nation church, has lost his legal fight to remain in the UK after an immigration tribunal ruled he should be deported. The decision comes amid allegations of fraud and financial misconduct linked to his church.
Adegboyega, 44, who is related to Star Wars actor John Boyega, argued that deportation would breach his human rights, specifically his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). He highlighted his marriage to a British citizen and his community work in London, especially with Black youths, as reasons for staying in the UK.
His legal team described him as a "charismatic" leader who mentored hundreds of young people, claiming that his efforts were recognized by prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior Metropolitan Police officials. However, no testimonies from these figures were provided to the tribunal.
In contrast, the Home Office presented evidence that SPAC Nation had been under scrutiny for financial irregularities. The church had been shut down after failing to account for more than £1.87 million in expenditures. Allegations surfaced that members were coerced into taking extreme measures, such as taking out loans, committing benefit fraud, or even selling their blood to fund the church. Former members accused the church of cult-like behavior and abuse.
The tribunal noted the closure of various manifestations of SPAC Nation by the Charity Commission and the High Court, citing concerns over its finances and lack of transparency. It concluded that these issues were crucial when evaluating Adegboyega’s value to the UK.
Adegboyega, who overstayed a visitor visa granted in 2005, initially applied for leave to remain in 2019 under the ECHR. His application and subsequent appeal were rejected, with the tribunal dismissing his claims as exaggerated. It found that the positive impact attributed to him and his church would not be significantly harmed if he were deported to Nigeria.
The tribunal ruled that Adegboyega’s family life and private relationships, established while in the UK unlawfully, could continue in Nigeria. The decision ends his legal battle, and he now faces deportation to Nigeria.
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