Tobi Adegboyega, a 44-year-old pastor and cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, has lost his deportation battle in the UK after an immigration tribunal ruled against him.
According to Telegraph, Adegboyega, who led the controversial SPAC Nation church, argued that deportation would violate his right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights, citing his marriage to a British woman and his community contributions.
The tribunal rejected his appeal, citing concerns over financial mismanagement at SPAC Nation, which was shut down by the Charity Commission and the High Court. Investigations revealed the misuse of over £1.87 million and a lack of financial transparency.
The tribunal concluded that the church’s contributions would not collapse or significantly suffer if Adegboyega were deported.
Former members of the church accused it of operating like a cult, alleging that impoverished young people were coerced into taking loans, committing benefit fraud, and selling their own blood to donate money.
They claimed the leadership led lavish lifestyles and were involved in instances of abuse. The Home Office argued that “all is not as it seems,” and these issues needed consideration in evaluating Adegboyega’s value to the UK.
Adegboyega had overstayed his visitor visa since 2005 and applied to remain in 2019 under the right to family life. His legal team emphasized his work with London’s black communities and praise from prominent figures, though no testimony from them was presented. He maintained that no criminal charges were filed against him and that criticisms were politically motivated.
The tribunal criticized Adegboyega’s statements as “hyperbolic in many instances” and noted he had “sought to grossly inflate his influence.” It found his claims of personally intervening in many lives implausible, stating, “We find it to be implausible that he has the time to undertake all of this work personally.”
In its judgment, the panel emphasized that “various manifestations” of SPAC Nation had been closed due to financial concerns. It also ruled that Adegboyega’s family life, established while he was in the UK unlawfully, could continue in Nigeria, making the interference minimal.
The tribunal concluded that deportation was “wholly proportionate” and lawful. It determined that Adegboyega’s contributions, while notable, did not outweigh the issues surrounding his immigration status and SPAC Nation’s financial practices.
Ultimately, the tribunal ruled that his deportation would not undermine the church’s work, stating, “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.”
