Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, whose church, SPAC Nation, was shut down over allegations of financial misconduct, has dismissed reports of his impending deportation from the United Kingdom.
In a video address to his followers posted on his official Instagram page on Wednesday, Adegboyega, 44, reassured his supporters, stating, “I’ve heard a lot today, and I’m doing this because of our fans, our friends, people who are worried. I’m right here at home, no cause for alarm, and naturally I’ll dismiss things that have to do with retrogression.
“Every Nigerian should be proud of me. In the UK, a city that is well known for pulling people down, I’ve survived all sorts. So, the matter that they are propagating now is the smallest of matter.
“What I’m trying to say is, no panic. My love London City is my city and nobody can do anything.”
The pastor’s comments followed a ruling by a UK immigration tribunal upholding the decision to deport him to Nigeria.
Adegboyega, a cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, has lived unlawfully in the UK since overstaying a visitor visa granted in 2005.
Despite claims that his removal would breach his right to family life under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), the tribunal concluded that his presence in the UK was neither lawful nor indispensable to the continuation of SPAC Nation’s community work.
SPAC Nation, a church known for targeting young people, was closed after investigations revealed a lack of financial transparency and alleged misconduct.
According to tribunal documents, the Charity Commission found “serious misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the charity which was sustained over a substantial period of time.”
Former members of the church also accused its leadership of fostering a cult-like environment.
“Impoverished young people are encouraged to do anything they can to donate money, including taking out large loans, committing benefit fraud, and even selling their own blood,” the judgment stated.
Meanwhile, Adegboyega denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated.
“Of all the people of colour you know here, pastors and leaders have survived everything. Now, let me talk about fraud case, fraud case. They keep saying this. This is an advanced country. I’m speaking here openly.
“After all these years, have you ever heard someone go to the parliament and make all sorts of complaints? Someone from another race, another colour. Nothing came out of it.
“So, those who hate, hate already. What you want to hear is not what you heard today. What you want to hear is they’ve arrested them for money, this money, that. Not one criminal case, not one money case.
“You should all be proud of me and of the nation’s family.
So, I’m here, I’m at home. Nobody should panic for me. I succeeded well in this country despite all challenges, and I’m in the league of the people you look up to people that you pick out to persecute. I’ve survived that well. We’re surviving well. Nothing has changed. Nothing will change,” he said in his video.
While his supporters have described him as a charismatic leader who has helped many young people, the tribunal ruled that his influence was overstated.
“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,” it concluded.
Adegboyega further asserted his status as a prominent figure in London.
“I assure all our followers and friends that there will be no embarrassment for you other than noise and noise, which we’ve survived for many years.
“I am here. I’m PT number one in London City and nothing is going to bring us down. I love you all. That’s all I’m going to say for now,” he added.
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