Tobi Adegboyega, a prominent Nigerian pastor and former leader of the controversial SPAC Nation church, is set to be deported from the United Kingdom after an immigration tribunal dismissed his appeal to remain in the country. Adegboyega, who is a cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, has been at the center of a high-profile investigation into allegations of financial misconduct and mismanagement involving over £1.87 million in church funds.
The pastor, known for his charisma and leadership in London’s black community, argued that his deportation would violate his right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). He cited his marriage to a British citizen and his significant contributions to youth development in London, particularly through SPAC Nation. His legal team described him as a transformative figure who had positively impacted hundreds of young lives by steering them away from crime and offering mentorship.
In his defense, Adegboyega claimed his work had received praise from notable figures, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior officials in the Metropolitan Police. However, no evidence or testimony from these individuals was provided to the court. Adegboyega also asserted that without his leadership, the various community projects he initiated would collapse or significantly diminish.
Allegations and Investigations
The Home Office painted a different picture, presenting evidence of alleged financial improprieties and exploitative practices within SPAC Nation. Investigations by the Charity Commission and the High Court revealed a lack of transparency and serious mismanagement of funds. Former members of the church accused its leadership of encouraging desperate young followers to engage in extreme measures to donate money, including taking out loans, committing benefit fraud, and even selling their blood.
The Home Office also argued that SPAC Nation’s leadership lived extravagantly while members endured financial and emotional exploitation. The tribunal was told that despite Adegboyega’s claims of widespread positive influence, there had been multiple allegations of abuse and misconduct under his watch.
Tribunal Verdict
The tribunal found Adegboyega’s evidence to be “hyperbolic” and accused him of inflating his role and influence. It ruled that while SPAC Nation’s charitable activities might suffer to some extent, they were unlikely to collapse entirely without his presence. The court noted that his family and private life relationships, all formed while he was unlawfully in the UK, could endure following his deportation to Nigeria.
The tribunal also highlighted that Adegboyega had overstayed his visitor’s visa since 2005 and had been living in the UK unlawfully for nearly two decades. His attempt to secure leave to remain in 2019 was dismissed, and his subsequent appeal has now met the same fate.
A Controversial Legacy
Adegboyega’s case has drawn widespread attention due to the scale of the allegations and his prominent public image. SPAC Nation, which once presented itself as a haven for disenfranchised youth, has been repeatedly scrutinized for its practices. Although Adegboyega claimed that the accusations were politically motivated and baseless, the tribunal’s findings upheld the Home Office’s decision to deport him.
The pastor, now 44, must return to Nigeria, marking the end of his tumultuous tenure in the UK. For some, his departure signifies justice for alleged victims of SPAC Nation’s practices. For others, it raises questions about the accountability of community leaders and the safeguarding of vulnerable individuals in faith-based organizations.
