UK to Deport Pastor Tobi Adegboyega After Tribunal Confirms Mismanagement Allegations

 

The United Kingdom is set to deport Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, the founder of SPAC Nation, to Nigeria after an immigration tribunal ruled against his appeal to remain in the UK. The decision follows a series of investigations that revealed alleged financial mismanagement and lack of transparency within his church.

SPAC Nation, a church previously praised for its community outreach efforts, came under scrutiny after failing to account for over £1.87 million in expenditures. The UK Charity Commission also raised concerns about the administration of the church, citing serious misconduct and mismanagement.

Pastor Adegboyega, who arrived in the UK on a visitor’s visa in 2005 and has lived unlawfully since, sought to remain in the country under the European Convention on Human Rights, citing his family life and contributions to the community. However, the tribunal found that his claims were overstated and determined his deportation would not significantly impact the good work of the church.

The tribunal also considered allegations that SPAC Nation operated as a cult, exploiting vulnerable young people by encouraging them to take on loans, commit fraud, and donate extensively, even through extreme measures like selling blood. While no criminal charges have been filed against Adegboyega or the church, the allegations weighed heavily in the tribunal's decision.

Adegboyega denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and unfounded. He emphasized that his work positively influenced many young people in London’s black communities and claimed that deportation would breach his human rights. Despite this, the tribunal ruled that his contributions did not outweigh the evidence of misconduct, concluding that his removal from the UK was lawful and proportionate.

The pastor is expected to be deported to Nigeria, marking the culmination of a legal battle that has attracted significant public and media attention.