Embattled Nigerian pastor and founder of the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, commonly known as SPAC Nation, Tobi Adegboyega, has narrated why he flaunts his extravagant lifestyle in the United Kingdom.
This is coming on the heels of his immigration status trial at the UK’s immigration upper tribunal that ruled that the 44-year-old pastor be deported.
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 the claim on his extravagant lifestyle in the court, Adegboyega told the judges, Bruce and Rastogi that his wife, Mary Olubukola Alade, who earns £100,000 per year working for AON has been funding him.
He added that his motive for the flaunting was to help young people who are the major congregation in his church believe that there are legitimate ways of making money.
The court ruling obtained by The PUNCH 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.
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.”