Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega has lost his fight against deportation from the UK following allegations of financial misconduct tied to his church, SPAC Nation.
An immigration tribunal ruled against Adegboyega, 44, stating his removal to Nigeria would not violate his human rights despite his claims under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). He argued that deportation would disrupt his family life, citing his marriage to a British woman and community work as reasons to stay.
Adegboyega, a cousin of actor John Boyega, rose to prominence as the charismatic leader of SPAC Nation, a controversial church that reportedly mentored young people from London’s Black communities to steer them away from crime. However, his leadership came under scrutiny after allegations of fraudulent practices and financial mismanagement surfaced.
The tribunal noted the Home Office’s argument that multiple branches of SPAC Nation had been shut down by the Charity Commission and High Court due to concerns over a lack of financial transparency. The church was accused of failing to account for over £1.87 million in expenditures and of coercing members to take extreme measures—such as loans, benefit fraud, and selling their own blood—to make donations.
“It is alleged that the church leadership led lavish lifestyles and that there were instances of abuse,” the tribunal judgment stated, adding that these factors undermined Adegboyega’s claims of contributing positively to the UK.
Adegboyega first arrived in the UK on a visitor visa in 2005, overstaying his permit. His application for leave to remain in 2019 under the ECHR was dismissed, as was his appeal. The tribunal described his evidence as “hyperbolic” and said he “grossly inflated his influence.”
The tribunal ruled that his deportation would not cause significant harm to SPAC Nation or the community work it supports, concluding that his family and private life relationships could continue despite his return to Nigeria.
This decision marks the end of Adegboyega’s legal challenge, as he now faces deportation to Nigeria.
