UK Judges Explain Decision to Approve Pastor Tobi Adegboyega’s Deportation

New revelations have emerged about why the UK Immigration Upper Tribunal upheld the deportation of Tobi Adegboyega, founder of the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, also known as SPAC Nation. The 44-year-old pastor, originally from Nigeria, first entered the UK on a visitor visa in 2005 but overstayed after it expired. Despite marrying a British citizen, his efforts to remain in the UK on human rights grounds were rejected by immigration authorities.

Adegboyega’s initial appeal to the First-tier Tribunal was denied, prompting him to escalate the case to the Upper Tribunal in August 2022. His legal representative, Dele Olawanle, argued that Adegboyega’s extensive community work, including interventions to rescue troubled youth from gangs and crime, merited his continued presence in the UK. The pastor claimed his initiatives had received endorsements from notable figures such as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior Metropolitan Police officials.

In his appeal, Adegboyega highlighted his church’s role in providing 136,000 meals to children through food banks, establishing safe houses for youth escaping gang violence, and offering mentorship to hundreds of young people from Black communities in London. However, tribunal judges Bruce and Rastogi dismissed these claims, citing insufficient evidence to support the scale of his contributions.

The tribunal found Adegboyega’s descriptions of his influence to be “hyperbolic” and “grossly inflated.” The court noted the absence of corroboration from institutions like the Metropolitan Police, Downing Street, or the Mayor of London, despite his assertions of their support. The judges also questioned the practicality of his purported daily activities, which included six church events, visiting congregants’ homes, mentoring youths, and supervising business ventures. They deemed his schedule implausible, suggesting that much of the work was likely carried out by others in SPAC Nation.

The court further ruled that his marriage to a British citizen did not outweigh his immigration violations, and his community projects could continue without his physical presence in the UK.

Earlier, Adegboyega testified that he relied entirely on his wife, Mary, who earns £100,000 annually, for financial support. He described his unpaid work for the church as a sacrifice of his legal career, despite holding a first-class law degree from Nigeria. Addressing criticism of his extravagant lifestyle, Adegboyega insisted that his designer wardrobe and luxury vehicles were funded by his wife and intended to inspire young people toward legitimate success.

Adegboyega, known for his flamboyance, has been a controversial figure in the UK. A BBC documentary previously accused him of financial misconduct, alleging that funds raised under the guise of community support were used to sustain his lavish lifestyle. While these claims sparked public outrage, Adegboyega was never criminally charged. His church, however, faced legal and financial scrutiny that led to its closure in 2022 after a High Court investigation uncovered mismanagement of over £1.87 million.

Reacting to the deportation ruling on social media, Adegboyega dismissed the allegations and assured his supporters that he remains unshaken. In an Instagram post, he declared his resilience, stating, “I have survived all sorts, so the matter they are propagating is the smallest matter.” He claimed his businesses raised over £1 million within 24 hours of the news, framing the development as a blessing.

Despite the tribunal’s decision, Adegboyega retains the option to appeal to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. According to UK Home Office guidelines, any appeal must be filed within 28 days of receiving permission from the tribunal.