Controversial Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega, known for his flamboyant lifestyle and ties to Hollywood actor John Boyega, is set to be deported from the UK.
The pastor lost his appeal to stay in the country despite citing human rights violations and his community work as reasons to remain.
Adegboyega, leader of the now-defunct Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church Nation Ministries, has been under scrutiny for years. The church was shut down after failing to account for £1.87 million (N4 billion) in expenses, sparking allegations of fraud and lack of transparency.
Former members also accused the church of being a cult, claiming young, vulnerable followers were pressured into taking loans, committing benefit fraud, and even selling their blood to fund donations.
His legal team argued that deporting Adegboyega would disrupt his family life—he’s married to a British woman—and jeopardize the youth-focused community projects he leads.
They portrayed him as a charismatic leader who has positively impacted hundreds of young people in London, particularly from black communities.
His work, they claimed, had earned praise from high-profile figures like Boris Johnson and members of the Metropolitan Police.
But the tribunal wasn’t convinced. The Home Office painted a damning picture, highlighting the lavish lifestyles of the church’s leadership and the financial scandals surrounding it.
Officials argued that Adegboyega’s removal wouldn’t harm the UK but instead rid the country of someone exploiting others for personal gain.
Adding to his troubles, Adegboyega has been living illegally in the UK since 2005 after overstaying his visitor’s visa. In 2019, he applied for leave to remain, citing his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
His application was initially denied, and his recent appeal has met the same fate.
Online reactions have been fiery. @emperoryrn wrote, “Pastors like this make it impossible to respect men of God.” @ita_attah quipped, “When he gets to Lagos, we’ll have one more fraudulent pastor to deal with.”
Others criticized blind faith in questionable leaders, with @dehbombomm warning, “Keep shouting ‘daddy’ in church. Pray on your own instead!”
Now, Adegboyega faces deportation to Nigeria, leaving behind a trail of controversy and unanswered questions. Whether guilty or not, his story has amplified skepticism about flashy pastors and their intentions.
