Dele Olawanle, the lawyer representing SPAC Nation founder Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has denied reports that the cleric is facing deportation from the United Kingdom.
Earlier, the UK Telegraph reported that an immigration tribunal ruled that Adegboyega, 44, should be deported to Nigeria. The cleric, who entered the UK in 2005 on a visitor’s visa, has remained in the country unlawfully.
The tribunal reportedly criticised Adegboyega’s claims of community impact through SPAC Nation, describing his evidence as “hyperbolic” and his influence as “grossly inflated.”
In response, Olawanle issued a statement on Tuesday dismissing the reports as misinformed and asserting that deportation laws apply exclusively to individuals with criminal convictions. He emphasized that Adegboyega has no criminal record.
He said, “The newspaper that carried the news was ignorant. I have acted for him as a lawyer on a personal basis and for the ministry. He is not facing deportation from the UK. That is elementary immigration laws for journalists.
“Deportation is for criminals. He is not. Even though the courts and the charity commission had issues with SPAC NATIONS, he was not personally found guilty of any wrongdoings.”
Highlighting Adegboyega’s two decades in the UK without a criminal conviction, Olawanle added: “Tobi has contributed significantly to the British community. He has faced many challenges, but he is a winner.
“Tobi has lived in the UK for at least 20 years without a criminal conviction. He has contributed significantly to the British community. He has faced many challenges, but he is a winner.”
