Tobi Adegboyega, a Nigerian pastor and founder of SPAC Nation church, has spoken out regarding his controversial immigration status and allegations of fraud in the United Kingdom.
In a BBC interview published on Friday, Adegboyega explained that he overstayed in the UK after arriving on a visitor’s visa in 2005, citing a failure to regularise his status because he “lost track of time” and believed his family was handling the paperwork.
The 44-year-old preacher has reportedly lost his legal battle against deportation over allegations of £1.87 million in church fund mismanagement.
However, Adegboyega denied the claims, attributing the accusations to “disgruntled members” of his church and clarifying that “there is no deportation order.”
He highlighted his church’s efforts in combating street violence and said his lavish lifestyle, often criticised, is intended to connect with the younger generation and deter them from crime.
“I put on what is right, what connects to the generation I’m speaking to, so they are not attracted to drug dealers,” he said.
The cleric maintained that the decision on his deportation remains in the hands of the judges, describing the situation as an “ongoing issue.”
