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SPAC Nation has had a rollercoaster of media attention over the years. Led by former property developer Tobi Adegboyega (who stepped down in 2020), the London-based church was first hailed by the media and politicians alike, as helping to crack down on youth violence in 2018. But less than three years later, police launched investigations into SPAC Nation, over allegations of child abuse, fraud and financial exploitation. The Met Police’s investigations found “no safeguarding issues” and suspects were released under investigation, with no charges — they dropped their investigation in 2020. It later became the subject of a BBC Panorama documentary Conned By My Church where young worshippers alleged that they had been forced into debt by church leaders. Whilst all of this seemed to come to a head in June 2022 when SPAC Nation had its charity status revoked, in July 2023, Forbes published an investigative piece that highlighted the link between Women of The City Magazine (WOTC) — a business magazine which claimed to empower women — and SPAC Nation. Despite having renowned celebrities on the cover of the magazine, Forbes reported multiple claims from women business owners who paid to feature in the magazine, yet promised interviews “never materialised”. According to Forbes, Mariam Mola, an infamous SPAC Nation member and convicted fraudster is thought to be the mind behind the publication (2020 BBC documentary Catch Her If You Can feature the victims of Mola’s alleged scams). While former WOTC CEO Anais Bienvenu told Forbes, “Mariam Mola has never worked for WOTC” other SPAC Nation representatives told the publication that she “helps within her capacity a few of the women-led businesses in our community; one of which was WOTC.” Despite all the allegations, the so-called church keeps making a comeback, with many of its members — mainly young Black people from vulnerable backgrounds — remaining fervent supporters.
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