UK Government Investigates Nigerian Church Over Claims Of Extortion

Spac Nation church, a church headed by a Nigerian in the UK is
reportedly under investigation over its alleged methods of raising
funds.

The church which is headed by Tobi Adegboyega who came to
Britain in 2005, has been accused of pushing its young members into
selling their blood and also taking bank loans which they allegedly
donate to the church to fund the lavish lifestyle of its
pastors.

The church which was praised by politicians in the past for
rehabilitating youths linked to gang violence, came under scrutiny
following a number of exposés which alleged that it was pressuring
young members to beg, borrow and steal money for the church.

UK’s Charity Commission who confirmed the probe, said it was
looking into the governance, management, policies and practices of
Spac Nation church, a registered charity set up to spread
Christianity, particularly in relation to the safeguarding of its
beneficiaries and its financial arrangements.

Earlier this week, HuffPost UK reported that some Spac nation
members allegedly took teenagers to donate blood for medical
trials, in a practice known as “bleeding for seed”. The church has
however denied the claim.

‘The allegations I have received about Spac Nation from
vulnerable young people are truly disturbing.

‘Victims are saying it is run like a cult. I want there to be
a full investigation.’

The Charity Commission also revealed that Spac Nation had been
subject to a regulatory compliance case since April 2018 after it
received reports about safeguarding and financial concerns.

The commission said in a statement;
“Of immediate concern to the commission is that substantial amounts
of charity money are held in cash. As a protective measure, the
commission has issued an order under section 84 of the Charities
Act, requiring the charity to bank its money.

“The commission is also concerned about the apparent lack of
clarity between the personal, business and charity roles of leaders
within the charity.

“Charities exist to improve lives and strengthen society; the
issues that have been raised related to Spac Nation in recent weeks
are highly concerning, even more so as the allegations are entirely
at odds with the expectations about the way that charities will
operate.

“The opening of this inquiry is an important step that will
allow us to examine these concerns further and establish the facts.
We will seek to provide assurance to the public and the community
that these matters will be considered fully and, where necessary,
resolved.”

However reacting to the inquiry, Spac Nation’s Board of Trustees
said it was needful to lay to rest some unverified allegations.

Its statement partly reads;
Inquiry is what we have always asked for. If anything is found
wrong we will adjust it, and if not we will keep going
strong.

“If any pastor or leader is caught pressuring people to
donate, such leader will be expelled without delay, not to talk of
pressuring to donate blood for money. We encourage people to donate
blood and all they can for the community but we also say not for
money ever, that just won’t happen here.”