Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, commonly known as SPAC Nation, led by Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has faced severe criticism, with former members and officials labelling it a cult.
An immigration tribunal recently ruled that the 44-year-old should be deported back to Nigeria after he was found to be misusing funds by his church.
Adegboyega, head of the controversial SPAC Nation church, failed to properly account for more than £1.87 million of outgoings.
The tribunal was told the Home Office contended “all is not as it seems”.
According to the judgement: “Various manifestations of [Mr Adegboyega’s] church have been closed down, by either the Charity Commission or the High Court, because of concerns over its finances and lack of transparency.
“Former members of the church have alleged that it is a cult, in which impoverished young people are encouraged to do anything they can to donate money, including taking out large loans, committing benefit fraud and even selling their own blood.
“It is alleged that the church leadership lead lavish lifestyles and there have, it is said, been instances of abuse. The [Home Office’s] case before us was that all of this needs to be taken into account when evaluating whether [Mr Adegboyega] is in fact of real value to the UK.”
Labour MP Steve Reed described the church as exploiting vulnerable young people in disadvantaged areas of London for financial gain.
He emphasized the urgent need for intervention to prevent further exploitation of young individuals.
