Nigerian Pastor Tobi Adegboyega Denies Deportation Rumors, Urges Calm

Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega has dismissed reports of his impending deportation from the United Kingdom, following a tribunal ruling upholding the decision to remove him. In a video posted on Instagram, Adegboyega reassured his followers, asserting his resilience and dismissing the matter as inconsequential.

The 44-year-old pastor, whose church, SPAC Nation, was shut down over allegations of financial misconduct, declared, “No cause for alarm. London is my city, and nobody can do anything.” He denied any wrongdoing, framing the allegations as politically motivated and emphasizing his achievements despite the challenges he has faced.

Adegboyega has lived in the UK unlawfully since overstaying a visitor visa granted in 2005. His appeal against deportation cited his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). However, the tribunal concluded his presence was neither lawful nor essential to SPAC Nation’s community work, which the Charity Commission found plagued by serious financial misconduct.

The tribunal also rejected claims that his departure would significantly impact the organization, stating, “We are not satisfied that the good work SPAC Nation undertakes would collapse or significantly suffer should the appellant be required to leave the UK.”

Former members of SPAC Nation accused its leadership of fostering a cult-like environment, with allegations of coercing young members into extreme measures to donate money, including taking out loans and selling blood. Adegboyega dismissed these claims as baseless, asserting that no criminal charges or financial fraud cases had been proven against him.

Despite the controversies, Adegboyega portrayed himself as a resilient and influential figure, saying, “I’ve succeeded in this city despite all challenges. Nothing has changed, and nothing will.” He assured supporters that there was no need for concern, attributing the rumors to detractors seeking to tarnish his image.