Tobi Adegboyega, a Nigerian pastor and cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, has been embroiled in a series of controversies that have culminated in his deportation from the United Kingdom. Born on November 11, 1980, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Adegboyega moved to London in 2005.
Initially, he shared a room with his cousin while working as a kitchen porter. Over time, he established himself as a prominent figure in the religious community by founding SPAC Nation, a Pentecostal church, in 2008.
SPAC Nation, which was officially incorporated as a charity in 2012, quickly gained notoriety for its unconventional practices and charismatic leadership. The church, based in Croydon, South London, attracted a large following, particularly among young people. Adegboyega's approach included encouraging individuals involved in criminal activities to surrender their weapons at the church altar, a move that garnered both praise and criticism.
Despite its initial success, SPAC Nation became mired in controversy due to allegations of financial misconduct. Investigations revealed that the church had failed to account for more than £1.87 million in outgoings and operated with a lack of transparency.
These findings led to the church's closure and sparked a legal battle for Adegboyega, who faced deportation from the UK.
In 2024, an immigration tribunal ruled that Adegboyega should be deported back to Nigeria. The tribunal found that there had been serious misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of SPAC Nation over a substantial period.
Despite Adegboyega's claims that his work had been lauded by politicians like Boris Johnson and senior figures within the Metropolitan Police, no supporting testimony was presented in court.
Adegboyega argued that deportation would violate his human rights under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), citing his marriage to a British woman and his community work with SPAC Nation.
His legal team described him as a charismatic leader who had positively impacted the lives of many young people, predominantly from black communities in London. However, the tribunal concluded that his family and private life relationships, established while he was unlawfully in the UK, would survive his return to Nigeria.
The Home Office contended that all was not as it seemed with Adegboyega's church, which had been accused of cult-like practices.
Former members alleged that impoverished young people were encouraged to donate money through various means, including taking out loans and committing benefit fraud. The tribunal also noted that Adegboyega's evidence was often hyperbolic and that he had exaggerated his influence.
Ultimately, the tribunal determined that the decision to refuse leave to remain was proportionate, and Adegboyega's deportation was deemed lawful.
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