After UK Court Ruling On His Deportation, Tobi Adegboyega Says Every Nigerian Should Be Proud Of Him

Founder of the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, commonly known as SPAC Nation, Tobi Adegboyega, has reacted to the court’s ruling on his deportation, saying he had so far withstood storms since arriving in the United Kingdom, and that every Nigerian should be proud of his achievements.

His reaction comes following a trial at the UK’s immigration upper tribunal that he should be deported for flouting immigration rules and for questionable sources of income.

The court claimed that Adegboyega had arrived in the UK on a visitor’s visa in 2005 but did not leave when it expired, and had sought to remain in the European country on human rights grounds.

However, defending his achievements, so far in the UK, Adegboyega said he’d worked so hard to succeed in the UK, adding that he had not been linked with any criminal act, a feat he said every Nigerian should be proudly associated with.

He said, “I’m right here at home, no cause for alarm. Naturally, I will dismiss things that have to do with retrogression; every Nigerian should be proud of me. Living in the UK, a city that is well known for pulling people down, I have survived all sorts, so the matter that they are propagating is the smallest matter.

“No panic, I love London city, it is my city and nobody can do anything. Of all the people of colour you know here – pastors and leaders, I have survived everything.

“I’m here, I am at home, nobody should panic for me. I succeeded well in this country despite all challenges and I’m in the league of people you look up to. I have survived that well, nothing has changed, nothing will change.”

The court ruling had quoted the controversial pastor as saying, “I live with my partner, Mary Olubukola Alade, who earns £100,000 per year working for AON. I spend my time working for the church, for which I am unpaid. I am entirely supported by Mary.

“I have a first-class law degree from Nigeria but I have ‘sacrificed’ my legal career to help those who cannot help themselves.”

The court also heard, “For instance, people have pointed to the fact that he wears designer clothing and drives expensive cars. He was adamant that all of his personal possessions had been paid for by Mary.

“He has never taken a penny from the church. He believes that it is important for him to dress the way that he does because he needs to inspire these young people – they need to understand that there are legitimate ways of making money, for instance through entrepreneurship.”

Reacting to the court’s ruling on his deportation, Adegboyega on Thursday dismissed the allegations, insisting that no amount of persecution would bring him down.