The former leader of a church closed following allegations of fraud and whose members were accused of alleged sexual abuse has led a march for “women’s equality” to Number 10.
Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega, 43, – who coined the term “offending at Fendi” because of his designer wardrobe – yesterday escorted 2,000 women to Downing Street to submit a petition for “girls’ equality “.
The cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega donned a gray two-piece Gucci suit with a matching tie as he led thousands of women – most of them black – into the streets in support of “future female leaders”.
His jovial appearance gave no indication of the problems he faced as the former leader of the controversial Church SPAC Nation (Salvation Proclaimer Ministries Limited) – which was shut down in 2022 for alleged embezzlement.
And in 2019, members of the “Church of Bling” faced allegations of sexual abuse, including an alleged complaint filed by a teenage girl.
Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega, 43 (pictured centre), led a march for “women’s equality” to Number 10 Downing Street yesterday.
The cousin of Star Wars actor John Boyega donned a gray two-piece Gucci suit with a matching tie as he led thousands of women – most of them black – into the streets in support of “future female leaders”.
Yesterday, the pastor renewed his focus on women’s empowerment. Alongside video footage shared on Instagram, he wrote: “Leading ladies and girls! Today was the ladies’ walk.
“Today Lucy, myself and the female leaders led a women’s march to number 10. We marched to submit a petition for girls’ equality. Some men also came to provide support.
“We have once again demonstrated our power in the streets. There were thousands of women who followed us there in real time, all successful young women, most of them black.
“We have evolved. You can judge for yourself whether or not we are relevant to the community and the nation.
He then described the group’s movements during the march, adding that the march started “after church” before heading straight to the famous Westminster office and back.
The husband and father alluded to his efforts to keep the message of the event as simple as possible. He continued: “Remember no influencers, no public announcements, just us.
“Fifth slide – Police always work hard where black people are concerned”.
In the video, the pastor can be seen surrounded by hundreds of women – and a few children – as an army of journalists with cameras rushed to film the event.
The pastor once led SPAC Nation (Salvation Proclaimer Ministries Limited) – a church closed following allegations of fraud and whose members were accused of alleged sexual abuse. However, yesterday he took to the streets to advocate for women’s empowerment.
Among the crowd, a few men were also seen, as well as women of different ages and races dressed in elegant suits.
As the march gained momentum, the pastor at one point took off his jacket, revealing a crisp white shirt. He also wore what appeared to be black Gucci loafers and a pair of gold-rimmed sunglasses.
Pastor Tobi said the event was a success, even though it was just one of many charitable projects he plans to carry out to benefit the surrounding community.
In another Instagram post, he revealed his plan to donate £5,000 a day to businesses and the “needy”. He asked his followers to tag who they thought would be best suited to receive the money.
There is no doubt that Pastor Tobi is considered by many to be a pillar of society, with the philanthropist often declaring his love to reward others financially.
The pastor is often spotted in his favorite creators; Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Fendi, and is known for displaying luxury rides in Lamborghinis and Porsches (here Pastor Tobi is escorted into a waiting vehicle before the march)
However, his ostentatious ways have not only raised eyebrows over the years but have also been a cause for concern.
Known among his fans as Pastor Tobi, he has built a reputation as a celebrity and influencer, boasting over 400,000 followers on Instagram and mingling with music stars like Davido and Wizkid.
He turned heads in 2022 when he gifted Chioma, now Davido’s wife, with a brown crocodile skin Hermès Birkin bag which was rumored to cost up to £80,000.
The pastor is often spotted in his favorite creators; Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Fendi, and is known for displaying luxury rides from Lamborghini and Porsche.
Many wonder how the leader of the Church can afford such a lavish lifestyle.
Perhaps one answer brings to mind the news that SPAC Nation will close in 2022 after the government found almost £2 million in spending that the Church failed to account for, The Independent reported.
The Church has been accused of misappropriating funds received from its members – a claim it has categorically denied.
In 2019, SPAC Nation pastors also faced allegations from dozens of former congregants, who claimed they were forced to take out bank loans and hand over thousands of pounds to fund the church’s lavish spending .
The Church leader often flaunts his fleet of luxury cars on Instagram – including this Porsche 911 GTS with a personalized license plate
Preachers are known for their designer clothes and gold watches, driving around in Rolls-Royces worth £150,000 and a Lamborghini with personalized ‘Pastor’ number plates.
But Spac Nation leaders were accused of threatening parishioners who failed to raise enough money, leaving them drowning in debt.
A pastor has urged his congregants to “beg, borrow or steal” to meet weekly fundraising demands set by church leaders.
Labor MP Steve Reed, shadow children’s minister, told the Mail on Sunday: “The allegations I have received about Spac Nation from vulnerable young people are truly worrying. Victims say this organization is run like a cult. I want there to be a full investigation.
Scotland Yard also said it would look into complaints against the church.
Pastor Tobi was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1980 and arrived in Britain in 2005. Until recently he lived in a £2.5 million house in Surrey.
The church – which hosted about 1,000 worshipers each week in raucous services held in hotel conference rooms – claimed that 55 percent of its congregation were former gang members.
It was featured in a BBC documentary in 2018 and was praised by police and Conservative and Labor politicians.
Mr Adegboyega was invited to meet officials at Downing Street and attended a Conservative party conference in 2019, where he sat in the row behind ministers. He also called London Mayor Sadiq Khan a “friend” of the Church.
The same year, members of the controversial church were accused of sexually abusing teenage girls.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that police had examined a dossier of a dozen allegations compiled by Labor MP Steve Reed, who had been contacted by alleged victims of SPAC Nation preachers.
“There is an allegation of potential rape against an underage girl,” Mr. Reed said. “There are also allegations that SPAC Nation pastors regularly sleep with girls who, in some cases, are under the age of 16.”
The Croydon North MP added that the alleged incidents occurred in some of the 15 “trap houses” – places of safety for former gang members – run by the church across London.
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