Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, whose church faced allegations of a £1.87 million fraud, has lost his bid to remain in the UK after an immigration tribunal ruled in favour of his deportation.
Despite his claims that removal would violate his human rights, the tribunal determined he should return to Nigeria, reports UK Telegraph.
Adegboyega, 44, a cousin of actor John Boyega, led SPAC Nation, a controversial church that was shut down following investigations which revealed financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency. The church reportedly failed to account for over £1.87 million in expenditures.
Adegboyega argued that deportation would breach his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), citing his marriage to a British woman and his community efforts with SPAC Nation. His legal team described him as a “charismatic” leader who positively influenced the lives of many young people, particularly from London’s black communities, steering them away from crime. They claimed his initiatives were recognised by figures such as Boris Johnson and senior Metropolitan Police officials, though no formal testimonies were provided to support these assertions.
However, the tribunal heard conflicting accounts from the Home Office, which described the church’s operations as deeply troubling. According to the judgment, SPAC Nation and its various manifestations were shut down by authorities over concerns regarding financial misconduct and lack of accountability.
Former church members alleged that the organisation functioned as a cult, coercing vulnerable young people into taking out large loans, committing benefit fraud, or even selling their blood to fund donations. Accusations also included reports of lavish lifestyles among the leadership and instances of abuse.
Adegboyega entered the UK in 2005 on a visitor’s visa but overstayed, living unlawfully. In 2019, he sought to regularise his status, invoking ECHR provisions. While he denied criminal wrongdoing and labelled the claims against him politically motivated, the tribunal noted serious misconduct within SPAC Nation, as outlined by the Charity Commission.
The tribunal found Adegboyega’s testimony exaggerated and dismissed his claim that his absence would cause significant harm to the projects he spearheaded. “We are not satisfied that the good work that SPAC Nation undertakes generally would collapse or even significantly suffer should the Appellant be required to leave the UK,” the judgment stated.
Ultimately, the tribunal ruled that the interference with Adegboyega’s family and private life would be minimal, concluding the decision to deport him was lawful and proportionate.
