A Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has lost his legal battle against deportation from the UK, following allegations of financial misconduct and fraud involving £1.87 million linked to his church, SPAC Nation.

The immigration tribunal ruled that Adegboyega, 44, should be deported to Nigeria, rejecting his claims that such a move would breach his human rights.

Adegboyega, a cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega, led SPAC Nation, a controversial Pentecostal church that was shut down amid allegations of financial mismanagement.

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The Charity Commission and other investigations uncovered misuse of funds and a lack of transparency within the organization.

Former members accused the church of pressuring young followers to secure money through loans, benefit fraud, and even selling their blood, while its leaders reportedly lived lavish lifestyles.

Adegboyega argued that deportation would violate his right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), citing his marriage to a British woman and his community work.

His legal team described him as a “charismatic” leader who helped steer hundreds of young people from troubled paths.

Adegboyega claimed his work had been praised by politicians, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior Metropolitan Police figures, although no direct testimonies were provided to the tribunal.

The tribunal, however, found these claims unconvincing, stating that Adegboyega’s evidence was “hyperbolic” and that he had “sought to grossly inflate his influence.”

The panel dismissed his assertion that his absence would lead to the collapse of community projects, noting that SPAC Nation had already been disbanded.

The Home Office presented evidence highlighting concerns about SPAC Nation’s operations.

It pointed to investigations revealing “serious misconduct and/or mismanagement” over a substantial period, as determined by the Charity Commission.

Allegations from former church members included exploitative fundraising practices and accusations of abuse, further eroding Adegboyega’s case.

The tribunal ruled that Adegboyega’s private and family life could be maintained from Nigeria and that his prolonged unlawful stay in the UK since 2005, when he overstayed a visitor’s visa, undermined his appeal.

Summing up its decision, the tribunal concluded that the refusal to grant Adegboyega leave to remain was “wholly proportionate.”

It stated, “Mr Adegboyega seeks to rely on family and private life relationships, all of which have been established whilst he was in the UK unlawfully, and which would survive his return to Nigeria.”

The ruling marks the end of Adegboyega’s lengthy legal battle, paving the way for his deportation and further scrutiny of the controversial legacy of SPAC Nation.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, don vow say him go chase out all the criminals wey dey disturb Abuja.

Him talk say once dem stop the bandits, cost of living go drop, and farmers go fit return to their farms to grow food.

Wike talk this one on Tuesday for Abuja as him flag off the 9.8km Kabusa-Takushara road project.

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The minister also warn school administrators say make dem no dey line up students for under sun to welcome am.

Him say FCT school children no suppose dey suffer under the sun for those kind thing.

On top the matter of insecurity, Wike talk say without good roads, if bandits or criminals attack, no be say security go fit reach sharp sharp.

Him explain say dem don start work to solve dis problem, but e no go happen at once. Wetin important, according to am, be say hope don dey.

“On top insecurity, if no good roads dey, if person come attack you, you fit expect say security go fit rush come immediately? No. So, we don start. No be every wahala go solve at the same time. Wetin important be say hope don return.

“The hunger na because of insecurity. You no fit go farm because kidnappers and bandits no go allow you. But now, we dey fight dem. We go show dem pepper.

“So, no worry. I sabi wetin you don suffer, I sabi say you don tire. But now we don start. Just know say hope don come back,” Wike talk.

Reverend Father Gerald Ohaeri, a Catholic priest from Isienu Nsukka Parish in the Nsukka Catholic Diocese, was kidnapped on Saturday while traveling along the Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Nsukka expressway in Enugu State.

Fr. Ohaeri, who was returning from a function in Enugu, was reportedly abducted on the stretch of road that has become notorious for criminal activity.

As of Tuesday evening, he remains in captivity, and efforts are underway to secure his release.

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The incident has raised fresh concerns about the growing insecurity along the expressway, which has seen an increase in criminal activities despite the presence of multiple police and military checkpoints along the less than 10-kilometer route.

“The Enugu-Abakpa-Ugwuogo-Nke-OPI Nsukka road has been a nightmare for motorists and residents in recent months,” a source told SaharaReporters.

In response to the rising wave of abductions, the Enugu State government recently stepped up its crackdown on criminal elements, including demolishing properties used to hold hostages.

Several buildings have been razed in the past few months as part of these efforts.

However, many of the kidnapped victims are reportedly transported to neighboring Benue and Kogi states, complicating rescue operations.

While the state government’s actions are aimed at curbing the crime wave, concerns continue to grow about the effectiveness of security measures in the area.

Local residents and travelers alike are calling for more robust actions to address the threat posed by kidnappers operating in the region.

Fr. Ohaeri’s abduction follows a troubling trend of kidnappings along this route, leaving communities on edge.

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has not yet issued a formal statement, but local parishioners have begun holding prayer vigils in hopes of the priest’s safe return.