Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, a prominent Nigerian pastor based in the United Kingdom, has spoken out against claims regarding his immigration status and financial misconduct allegations linked to his church, SPAC Nation.
Pastor Adegboyega, who founded SPAC Nation, now known as Nation Family, has been at the center of controversy following reports suggesting he was facing deportation from the UK.
These claims have been vehemently denied by the pastor. "There is no deportation order," Adegboyega stated emphatically in an interview with the BBC. He further clarified that the legal proceedings concerning his immigration status are still ongoing.
The pastor, known for his flamboyant lifestyle, arrived in the UK in 2005 on a visitor's visa at the age of 25. He admitted to losing track of time regarding his immigration paperwork, assuming his family was handling it.
This oversight led to a nearly decade-long delay in regularizing his status. Despite these challenges, Adegboyega expressed confidence in his ability to remain in the UK, stating that moving his church to Nigeria would be "impossible."
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the UK Charity Commission recently conducted an investigation into SPAC Nation, uncovering "serious misconduct and/or mismanagement" within the church's administration.
However, Pastor Adegboyega has dismissed these findings, maintaining that the allegations are unfounded.
The church, established in the UK as a charity in 2012, aims to support vulnerable individuals, combat gun violence, and assist young offenders.
Adegboyega highlighted the church's efforts in removing hundreds of knives from the streets and providing practical support to young people from low socio-economic backgrounds, steering them away from crime.
Despite the positive impact claimed by the church, it has faced criticism over its financial practices.
In 2019, a BBC Panorama investigation accused SPAC Nation of financially exploiting young congregation members, forcing them to donate money through loans and benefit fraud.
These allegations were also refuted by Adegboyega, who questioned the credibility of such claims given the size of the congregation.
The pastor's lavish lifestyle, characterized by designer clothes, expensive jewelry, and luxury vehicles, has drawn scrutiny.
Yet, Adegboyega defends his choices, asserting that his appearance is intended to resonate with the younger generation and deter them from being attracted to drug dealers.
As the legal and public relations battles continue, Pastor Adegboyega remains steadfast in his mission, dismissing the deportation rumors as false and emphasizing the ongoing nature of the court case.
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