Controversial Nigerian pastor dismisses UK deportation claims
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Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega denies deportation claims and allegations of financial misconduct against his church, Nation Family, defending its work with youth despite criticism of his lavish lifestyle.
Controversial Nigerian Pastor Tobi Adegboyega has vehemently denied claims that he is facing deportation from the United Kingdom, where his church, SPAC Nation (now known as Nation Family), is under investigation for financial misconduct. Addressing the issue in an interview with the BBC, Adegboyega categorically stated, “There is no deportation order. Let me make that clear,” and further explained that the court case regarding his immigration status is still ongoing.
Adegboyega, who arrived in the UK in 2005 at the age of 25 on a visitor’s visa, admitted to the BBC that he had lost track of time regarding the immigration paperwork. He revealed that he thought his family was handling the necessary documentation but later realized this was not the case, leading to nearly a decade-long delay in applying to regularize his status. He also emphasized that moving his church to Nigeria would be “impossible” if he were deported, highlighting the difficulties such a move would present.
The controversy surrounding Adegboyega’s church intensified in December when the UK Charity Commission published a report stating that there had been “serious misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration” of Nation Family. However, Adegboyega strongly rejected these allegations, calling them “false” and pointing out that the investigation had been ongoing for over four years. He maintained that the church’s operations were above board and that the accusations were baseless.
This is not the first time that the church has faced allegations of wrongdoing. In 2019, a BBC Panorama investigation uncovered claims of financial exploitation within the church, particularly involving vulnerable young members of the congregation. It was reported that these individuals had been coerced into taking out loans or committing benefit fraud to make donations to the church. Nation Family denied the accusations at the time, and Adegboyega repeated his dismissal of the claims.
He responded to the Panorama investigation by suggesting that with any large organization, there would inevitably be a small number of disgruntled individuals. “If you have 1,000 people in a place, are you telling me 30 people will not be disgruntled? How on earth do you run an organization without disgruntled people?” he asked, implying that some disgruntled members were responsible for the accusations against the church.
Founded as a charity in 2012, SPAC Nation was established with the mission to assist vulnerable individuals, tackle youth crime, and help rehabilitate young offenders. Pastor Adegboyega emphasized the positive work his church had done in the community, citing efforts to remove knives from the streets and help young people from low socio-economic backgrounds escape crime. He framed the church’s approach as a practical and hands-on way of dealing with social issues, claiming that it had had a real, positive impact on young people’s lives.
In addition to the allegations of financial misconduct, Adegboyega has faced criticism for his extravagant lifestyle, which includes designer clothes, expensive jewelry, and luxury watches. He made a point of defending his taste for luxury, arguing that his attire was not just a personal preference but a strategic decision aimed at connecting with the younger generation. “I put on what is right, what connects to the generation I’m speaking to so they are not attracted to drug dealers,” he explained, implying that his fashion choices were part of a broader effort to inspire the youth to avoid criminal lifestyles.
Adegboyega’s flamboyant lifestyle was further on display when he arrived at the BBC office in central London in a Lamborghini, accompanied by a G-Wagon for his entourage. The opulence of his vehicles and attire has drawn public scrutiny, especially in light of the financial misconduct allegations against his church.
Despite the ongoing legal and public relations challenges, Pastor Adegboyega remains defiant, insisting that both he and Nation Family are committed to helping those in need. He emphasized that the church’s work in communities was helping to keep young people away from crime and giving them a sense of purpose, regardless of the criticisms it has faced.
As the investigation into his church continues, Pastor Adegboyega’s future in the UK remains uncertain, but he has made it clear that he is not backing down in the face of the allegations. His case underscores the tension between public figures and accusations of financial misconduct, and the controversy surrounding his church shows no signs of subsiding anytime soon. However, Adegboyega maintains that he and his church will continue to focus on their mission of supporting and guiding young people, regardless of the challenges they face.
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