Dele Olawanle, Solicitor to SPAC Nation founder Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has declared that contrary to reports, the flamboyant pastor is not facing deportation from the United Kingdom.

It will be recalled that the UK Telegraph had earlier reported that a UK immigration tribunal ruled that the 44-year-old should be sent back to his native Nigeria.

Adegboyega has lived in the UK unlawfully since overstaying on a visitor’s visa that allowed him to enter Britain in 2005.

He claimed deportation would breach his right to a family life – having married a British woman.

He also said the attempt to remove him by the Home Office failed to take account of his community work with SPAC.

The tribunal, however, found Adegboyega’s evidence to be “hyperbolic in many instances” and had “sought to grossly inflate his influence.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Olawanle said deportation applies only to criminals, adding that Adegboyega has neither a criminal record nor conviction.

He said, “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. Even though the courts and the charity commission had issues with SPAC NATIONS, he was not personally found guilty of any wrongdoings.

“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.”

Source: theliberationnews

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has totally condemned the arrest and detention of human rights activist, Mr. Dele Farotimi.

In a statement the Waziri Adamawa signed himself, he expressed fear that the country is gradually relapsing to the ‘dark days of military dictatorship’, arguing that the crime of defamation, which Mr Farotimi is accused of, is not worth the attention the police are giving it, describing it as using a ‘sledgehammer to swat a fly’.

The full statement:

“The arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, is unequivocally condemned. It serves as a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissent. I am made aware that Dele is being accused of defamation — an offense that, under normal circumstances, should not warrant the involvement of law enforcement. The Police’s intervention in such matters is nothing less than the use of a sledgehammer to swat a fly, an overreach of unimaginable proportions.

“This alarming trend, particularly the recent abduction — or rather, the arrest — of Dele Farotimi, is emblematic of this administration’s insidious agenda to suffocate the fundamental right to free expression. The aim is clear: to intimidate and harass citizens, particularly those who oppose the regime and the press, thus paving the way for the establishment of a one-party state. It is imperative to remind the Tinubu administration that these repeated acts of arrest stand in direct contradiction to the principles of democracy.

“Freedom of speech and association are not privileges but constitutionally enshrined rights. If anyone feels wronged by defamatory words, they are free to seek redress in the courts, not at the hands of the state’s enforcers. It is an appalling abuse of power to use the Police as a tool for personal vendettas. In 2019, I was defamed. I did not involve the Police to flex muscles and intimidate the defaming citizen, but I took the case to court where I am currently seeking reliefs for the injuries to my name and integrity. Therefore, I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi.

Recalled that Farotimi’s house was on Tuesday, invaded by heavily armed policemen, and whisked away.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed gratitude to General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), Nigeria’s former Head of State, for pleading with the late General Sani Abacha to spare his life during the military regime’s crackdown on alleged coup plotters.

Obasanjo, who was imprisoned under Abacha’s rule, revealed his appreciation while reacting to Gowon’s statement made at the Plateau Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival in Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State on Friday.

During the event, Gowon recounted his intervention, explaining that he had written a personal letter to Abacha urging clemency for Obasanjo.

“I told him (Abacha) that God made him a leader to do good, not evil,” Gowon said.

He added that the letter, delivered to Abacha by his wife, seemed to change the course of events. Gowon expressed joy that Obasanjo not only survived the ordeal but went on to lead the country as President in 1999.

Responding the next day, Obasanjo admitted he was unaware of Gowon’s specific intervention until it was disclosed at the festival.

“I went round the world thanking those that have been appealing and praying for my release from prison. But I did not know that you wrote a personal letter for my release until you said it yesterday; I thank you for that,” Obasanjo stated.

He also lauded Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his peace-building initiatives and urged him to continue working toward the state’s development.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including former governors Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye, Boni Haruna (Adamawa), and Governor Mutfwang.

It was a significant moment of reflection on Nigeria’s history, given the political past between Gowon and Obasanjo, who had played a role in overthrowing Gowon’s government in the 1975 coup led by the late Murtala Mohammed.