Prominent Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega has refuted allegations that he is facing deportation from the UK, where his church, SPAC Nation (now Nation Family), is under scrutiny for alleged financial misconduct.
“There is no deportation order. Let me make that clear,” Pastor Adegboyega told the media, describing the legal matter as an “ongoing issue.”
The preacher, known for his opulent lifestyle, recounted arriving in the UK in 2005 on a visitor’s visa. He admitted a decade-long delay in regularizing his immigration status, which he attributed to losing track of time and assuming his family had managed his paperwork.
Dressed in a Louis Vuitton tie and wearing jewel-encrusted rings, Adegboyega dismissed claims that his church could relocate to Nigeria if deportation were to occur. “It would be impossible,” he said.
Charity Commission Findings and Previous Allegations
In December, the UK Charity Commission reported “serious misconduct and/or mismanagement” within SPAC Nation. Adegboyega rejected the findings, stating, “They’ve been on this for four years—it’s false.”
This isn’t the first controversy surrounding SPAC Nation. A 2019 BBC Panorama investigation accused the church of financially exploiting its young members. Allegations included coercing members to take loans and commit benefit fraud to donate to the church.
Adegboyega dismissed these claims, arguing, “With 1,000 people, 30 disgruntled voices are inevitable. How do you run an organization without them?”
Focus on Youth and Community
Founded in 2012 as a UK charity, SPAC Nation aimed to help vulnerable youth, tackle gun violence, and support young offenders. Adegboyega claimed the church had removed hundreds of knives from London streets and supported young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We believe in practical solutions, steering young people away from crime,” he said.
Lavish Lifestyle Under Scrutiny
Adegboyega has faced criticism for his ostentatious lifestyle, often flaunting designer clothing, luxury watches, and high-end cars. Arriving for the media interview in a Lamborghini with an entourage in a Mercedes G-Wagon, he defended his image as a way to connect with his audience.
“I dress in a way that resonates with the generation I’m speaking to. If they see me, they won’t be drawn to drug dealers,” he explained.
As legal and public scrutiny intensifies, Adegboyega remains defiant, maintaining his innocence and the mission of his church.
