- UK tribunal rejected Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega's deportation appeal, ruling he should be sent back to Nigeria despite his claims of human rights violations
- Adegboyega’s church, SPAC Nation, was shut down due to £1.87 million fraud allegations, with accusations of financial misconduct and cult-like activities
- The tribunal dismissed Adegboyega’s appeal, citing his overstayed visitor’s visa, unlawful residence, and lack of significant benefit to the UK
A Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, whose church was shut down over allegations of £1.87 million fraud, has lost his fight against deportation from the UK. Despite his claims that deportation would breach his human rights under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), the tribunal ruled that Adegboyega, 44, should be sent back to Nigeria.
Adegboyega, who is also the cousin of actor John Boyega, was the leader of SPAC Nation, a controversial church accused of financial misconduct. The church was closed after failing to account for significant outgoings, leading to concerns over its lack of financial transparency.
The UK government contended that the church's operations were marred by serious misconduct, with former members alleging that SPAC Nation operated as a cult, pressuring young people to engage in fraudulent activities, including taking out loans and even selling their own blood to fund the church.
While Adegboyega claimed deportation would infringe on his right to a family life, having married a British woman, the tribunal rejected his arguments.
He argued that his deportation would disrupt his community work, especially his efforts to help young people in London's black communities.
He cited political praise from figures such as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior police officers for his contributions. However, the tribunal found his claims exaggerated, describing his evidence as "hyperbolic" and "implausible."
The tribunal also noted that Adegboyega had overstayed his visitor's visa since arriving in the UK in 2005, living unlawfully in the country. His application to remain in the UK, based on the ECHR’s family life clause, was rejected, and his appeal was ultimately dismissed.
The tribunal concluded that his role in SPAC Nation was unlikely to collapse if he returned to Nigeria and that his private and family life would persist despite his deportation.
The tribunal further highlighted that the Charity Commission had found "serious misconduct and/or mismanagement" in the administration of SPAC Nation over a long period.
Despite Adegboyega's claims that no criminal charges had been filed against him or his church, the tribunal sided with the Home Office, which argued that his actions were not of significant benefit to the UK.
In the end, the tribunal ruled that the refusal of Adegboyega's application for leave to remain was "wholly proportionate" and lawful.
The decision, despite his claims of positive community contributions, emphasised that his unlawful stay in the UK outweighed his personal and professional ties.
Nigerians descend heavily on Pastor Adeboye and son over alleged N8b fraud case
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that many Nigerians expressed anger at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, especially at the general overseer who recently said the country's problems are spiritual and not political.
The son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Adeolu Adeboye, and his wife were reportedly involved in an alleged fraud case. They had allegedly received N8 billion for a road construction project but only completed 30 per cent of the project.
