Tobi Adegboyega, the popular Nigerian-born pastor, is making headlines after losing his case at the immigration tribunal, resulting in a deportation order from the British government.
NewsNGR reports that the tribunal ruled that Adegboyega, 44, who is the cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, will be deported to Nigeria following allegations of financial misconduct linked to his church, SPAC Nation.
Investigations into his church activities uncovered serious financial misconduct allegations. Despite his appeal, citing family ties under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), the tribunal upheld the decision for his deportation.
Here are 18 key facts about Pastor Tobi:
- Date of Birth: Tobi Adegboyega was born on November 11, 1980.
- Nationality: He is a Nigerian pastor with Yoruba roots.
- Church Leadership: He founded the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC Nation), later rebranded as NXTION Family, in London.
- Move to the UK: Adegboyega relocated from Lagos, Nigeria, to London in 2005.
- Early Life in London: Initially, he shared a room with his cousin, actor John Boyega, and worked as a kitchen porter.
- Church Beginnings: SPAC Nation started in 2008 with just three members in Croydon, South London.
- Unique Practices: He encouraged individuals, including former criminals, to surrender weapons during church services, a controversial initiative.
- Leadership Transition: In May 2020, Adegboyega stepped down as Lead Pastor and handed leadership to Samuel Akokhia.
- Church Closure: The UK government ordered SPAC Nation to close in June 2022 due to financial irregularities and lack of transparency.
- Media Scrutiny: A BBC Panorama investigation accused Adegboyega and church leaders of financially exploiting members and revealed his extravagant financial demands.
- Allegations of Misconduct: A church member, Nino, alleged that Adegboyega requested £20,000 from him for an investment. Although the church denied the accusations, Adegboyega refused to grant an interview to Panorama.
- Controversial Statements: Panorama later published a video of Adegboyega, quoted as saying he believed it was “no big deal for members of the church to give at least £1,000 a month to the church,” and that he needed to make £1 million monthly.
- Parliamentary Accusations: In January 2020, MP Steve Reed accused SPAC Nation of financial exploitation and fraud, though police declined to launch a criminal investigation.
- Youth Exploitation Claims: In 2019, the church faced allegations of pressuring young people to sell their blood for money.
- Domestic and Sexual Abuse Claims: SPAC Nation was also accused of abuse and other forms of misconduct.
- Lavish Lifestyle: Adegboyega resides in a £2.5 million mansion in Surrey, reflecting a life of luxury.
- Marriage: In a 2020 interview, he revealed he had been married for eight years to a British woman, a factor he used in his deportation appeal.
- Legacy: While his church attracted followers and controversy in equal measure, Adegboyega’s practices and leadership remain under scrutiny.