A UK immigration tribunal has ruled that Tobi Adegboyega, a 44-year-old Nigerian pastor, should be deported to Nigeria.
Adegboyega, who is the cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, was the leader of SPAC Nation, a church that was shut down due to allegations of financial misconduct.
The church was accused of failing to properly account for over £1.87 million in expenses and operating without transparency. Adegboyega argued that his deportation would infringe upon his rightthe to a family life, citing his marriage to a British woman. He also claimed that the Home Office failed to consider his community work with SPAC.
Adegboyega’s legal team described History as a “charismatic” community leader who had “intervened in the lives of many hundreds of young people” and led them away from trouble. They claimed that his work had been “lauded” by politicians, including Boris Johnson, and senior figures within the Metropolitan Police.
However, the tribunal was told that the Home Office contended “all is not as it seems” with Adegboyega’s church.
The judgment noted that various manifestations of Adegboyega’s church had been closed down due to concerns over its finances and lack of transparency.
Adegboyega had argued that his personal presence in London was necessary to continue his community work. However, the tribunal ruled that he should be in deported to Nigeria.
The deportation ruling marks a significant blow to Adegboyega’s efforts to clear his name and continue his community work in the UK. The case has sparked widespread debate about the UK’s immigration policies and the treatment of foreign nationals accused of financial misconduct.
Adegboyega’s future plans are uncertain, but it is clear that his deportation will have significant implications for his community and personal life.
