The British Government is preparing to deport renowned pastor Tobi Adegboyega back to Nigeria after he lost his appeal against deportation at an immigration tribunal.
According to PUNCH Online, the UK authorities shut down Adegboyega’s church, SPAC Nation, following investigations that revealed financial mismanagement by its leadership.
Reports indicate that the church was closed after Adegboyega was unable to provide a clear accounting for over £1.87 million in expenditures and was found to lack transparency in its operations.
The Telegraph reports that an immigration tribunal has ruled in favor of his deportation after conducting thorough investigations.
Adegboyega arrived in the UK on a visitor’s visa in 2005 and has since remained in the country unlawfully. In 2019, he sought to stay in the UK based on the European Convention on Human Rights’ provision for family life.
His initial application for residency was rejected by a first-tier immigration tribunal, prompting him to appeal. In his defense, Adegboyega argued that his deportation would violate his rights under the European Convention due to his marriage to a British citizen and his contributions to the community through SPAC Nation.
His legal team portrayed him as a ‘charismatic’ leader who has positively impacted the lives of numerous young people, particularly from London’s black communities. He claimed that prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior members of the Metropolitan Police, praised his efforts, though no testimonies from these individuals were presented in court.
The Home Office, however, argued that the circumstances surrounding Adegboyega’s situation were not as they appeared and brought the case before an immigration tribunal.
The tribunal’s ruling, as reported by The Telegraph, stated that evidence against Adegboyega was thoroughly considered. The judgment noted that various aspects of his church had been shut down by either the Charity Commission or the High Court due to financial concerns and a lack of transparency.
Allegations from former church members described SPAC Nation as a cult that pressured financially struggling young people into making significant donations, even encouraging them to take out loans, commit benefit fraud, or sell their blood. The tribunal also noted claims of the church leadership living extravagantly and instances of abuse, which the Home Office argued should be factored into the assessment of Adegboyega’s value to the UK.
During the tribunal proceedings, Adegboyega dismissed claims of his church being a cult as baseless, asserting that the criticisms were politically motivated. He maintained that no one had been criminally charged in connection with the church’s finances and claimed that his deportation would infringe upon his human rights.
However, the tribunal noted that the Charity Commission had found “serious misconduct and/or mismanagement” in the charity’s administration over an extended period. The tribunal also described Adegboyega’s evidence as “hyperbolic in many instances” and suggested that he had exaggerated his influence.
The tribunal ultimately concluded, “We are not satisfied that the good work SPAC Nation undertakes would collapse or significantly suffer should the appellant be required to leave the UK. We believe the refusal to grant leave to remain was entirely proportionate.”
The ruling emphasized that Adegboyega’s family and private life connections were established while he was unlawfully in the UK and would persist even if he returned to Nigeria. As such, any interference with his life would be limited and lawful under the circumstances.
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