- Reports surfaced alleging Pastor Tobi Adegboyega faces deportation from the UK due to financial mismanagement involving £1.87 million.
- Pastor Adegboyega’s lawyer, Dele Olanwale, debunks the claims, calling them baseless and criticizing the media for misinformation.
- The lawyer stated that deportation applies to criminals, asserting Adegboyega has no criminal record and has lived in the UK lawfully for nearly 20 years.
- According to the lawyer, the authorities closed his church, but no personal wrongdoing was attributed to Adegboyega.
Prominent Nigerian-UK-based cleric, Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has found himself at the center of online controversy following reports alleging his impending deportation from the United Kingdom.
These reports, which emerged online, claimed that Adegboyega had failed to account for over £1.87 million, leading to the closure of his church by UK authorities.
In response, Adegboyega’s legal representative, Dele Olanwale, has debunked the claims, asserting that his client is not facing deportation.
According to Olanwale, the reports are rooted in misinformation, emphasizing that deportation laws in the UK are applicable only to individuals with criminal convictions.
“I could not stop laughing when I read that Tobi Adegboyega faces deportation from the United Kingdom. The newspaper that carried the news was ignorant. I have acted for him as a lawyer on a personal basis and for the ministry. He is not facing deportation from the UK. That is elementary immigration laws for journalists. Deportation is for criminals. He is not,” he said in part.
Addressing the legal challenges faced by Adegboyega, the lawyer stated that the courts and the Charity Commission had raised issues concerning the management of the pastor’s church.
However, he clarified that Adegboyega himself had not been found guilty of any personal wrongdoing.
“Tobi has lived in the UK for at least 20 years without a criminal conviction. He has contributed significantly to the British community. He has faced many challenges, but he is a winner. Many of his adversaries are from the African community. Sensationalism is an act of idiocy. It is not worth the paper it was written on. I read some comments this morning and wondered why people are so quick to make ignorant comments without facts. I wondered why there is joy in seeing people go down, including so-called pastors. Society has a big problem, as we cannot handle people who are different and want them to go down. We love people who act sheepishly with zombie traits,” he added.
Netizens Reactions…
Alayo_91175 said; “Statement not signed! Name of the lawyer that said this lest you could have written or concocted this statement.”
Lakesyde_ said: “He get papers abi he no get?”
Muyiwa said; “I wondered why there is joy in seeing people go down including so called Pastors “
Sambest0706447 said; “Thanks for sharing the light Africa people always celebrate their brothers downfall.”
Meg60601189 said; “Your client is a strong supporter of tinubu , he should come back and enjoy what he supports.”
See below;
STATEMENT BY TOBI ADEGBOYEGA’S LAWYER
People with calls and text messages have inundated me since last night.
I could not stop laughing when I read that Tobi Adegboyega faces deportation from the United Kingdom. The newspaper that carried the news was ignorant. I have acted…
— Dele Olawanle (@dolawanle) December 4, 2024
