The head pastor of the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has lost his legal fight to be deported from the UK after being accused of £1.87 million equivalent to N3,926,218,340 in financial malfeasance.

According to an immigration tribunal, the UK-based Nigerian cleric should be sent back to Nigeria since he has been living in the UK illegally since 2005 when he overstayed his visitor's visa. Prior to this, his church was closed because of financial issues and a lack of openness.

Citing his community service and marriage to a British national, Tobi Adegboyega contended that deportation would be a violation of his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

According to his defense team, he was a dynamic leader who had helped hundreds of young people, especially from London's Black communities, by keeping them out of trouble. Although no supporting documentation from these individuals was shown in court, they also asserted that politicians like Boris Johnson and top Metropolitan Police officials had commended his work.

Nonetheless, the Home Office's arguments were deemed convincing by the tribunal, which heard evidence of financial mismanagement, accusations of corrupt practices within the church, and claims that vulnerable members were coerced into making large donations through benefit framing, loans, and even the sale of their blood.

The tribunal concluded that Adegboyega's assertions of great contribution to the UK were contradicted by reports of abuse and allegations of extravagant lives lived by the church's leadership.

The tribunal maintained the decision to deport Adegboyega despite his claims that neither he nor the church had been charged with any crimes and that the accusations were made for political reasons.

The current appeal stems from Adegboyega's application for leave to remain, which was denied in 2019 due to his family life requirements.

GA