Segun Atanda/
Veteran Nigerian actor and theatre icon, Chief Olalere Osunpaimo (MFR), popularly known as Lere Paimo or Eda Onile Ola, has escalated his dispute over the proposed recreation of the classic Yoruba film, Ogbori Elemoso, alleging an attempt to illegally remake the work without his consent.
Speaking on Wednesday at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, Ibadan, the 86 year old dramatist accused the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and Fewchore Studio of seeking to appropriate his intellectual property and cultural legacy.
He described the alleged move as a calculated effort to deprive him and his family of the benefits of a work he laboured to create over several decades.
Paimo said Ogbori Elemoso, one of the most celebrated historical films in Yoruba cinema, brought him national recognition, including the honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, as well as the chieftaincy title of Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso.
He stressed that the film was produced at enormous personal cost and remains central to his legacy.
According to the veteran actor, the present Soun of Ogbomoso had earlier approached him with a proposal to remake the film. He said he informed the monarch that the project would cost about one hundred million naira, but was told the production should go beyond that budget, with suggested changes to the original script.
He alleged that the situation took a disturbing turn in October 2025 when a man identified as Ben Ayoola, also known as Ben O Ben, arrived at his residence with others who claimed to represent Fewchore Studio.
According to Paimo, the group said they had been authorised by the Soun to remake Ogbori Elemoso and informed him that his consent was not required, adding that they merely intended to offer him a “gift” in recognition of the work.
Paimo said the group later paid N7.5 million into his bank account, a development that drew strong objections from his children.
He explained that the money was promptly returned on their advice and that his lawyers subsequently issued a cease and desist letter, demanding that the planned remake be halted without his express approval.
He alleged that the parties involved dismissed the letter, insisting they had royal approval and even threatened that seeking redress in court would be futile.
Visibly emotional at the briefing, the actor recalled the sacrifices he made to produce the film, including accumulating heavy debts and losing his car at the time.
He said the work was intended to secure the future of his children, lamenting that powerful interests were now trying to take it from him at an advanced age.
Paimo also raised concerns about recent rumours of his death that circulated on social media, suggesting that the false reports may not be unconnected to his current ordeal. He said the speculation added to his distress and sense of vulnerability.
In a direct appeal, the theatre icon called on Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, as well as sons and daughters of Ogbomoso at home and abroad, to intervene.
He urged well meaning Nigerians to help prevent what he described as injustice and exploitation.
The allegations come against the backdrop of earlier emotional footage circulated online, in which Paimo was seen appealing to the Soun of Ogbomoso over plans to recreate Ogbori Elemoso.
That video reignited wider conversations about creative rights and the preservation of indigenous narratives, particularly classic works rooted in local history.
While details of the legal framework surrounding the proposed remake remain contested, the dispute has once again drawn attention to long standing concerns within Nigeria’s creative sector about intellectual property protection.
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