A Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, whose church was shut down over a £1.87 million fraud scandal, has lost his legal battle against deportation despite arguing it would violate his human rights.
Adegboyega, 44, who is the cousin of actor John Boyega, headed SPAC Nation, a controversial church that faced closure after financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency. Investigations, including reports by The Telegraph, exposed that the church failed to account for significant expenditures.
He argued that deportation would infringe upon his right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights, as he is married to a British woman. Additionally, he claimed his work with SPAC, helping young people in London, had been praised by politicians and the police. However, no such testimonies were presented in court.
The Home Office disputed Adegboyega’s claims, pointing to the church’s closures and accusations of exploitation. Former members have alleged that SPAC Nation operated like a cult, pressuring vulnerable individuals into donating money through extreme means, including taking out loans and committing fraud.
The tribunal found that the Home Office’s concerns about SPAC Nation’s financial practices and the potential harm caused by the pastor’s actions outweighed his claims. Despite Adegboyega’s influence, the court determined that his deportation was proportionate, as his family life and community involvement were established unlawfully. The ruling concluded that the good works attributed to SPAC Nation would not collapse if Adegboyega were to leave the UK.
