Veteran Yoruba filmmaker and actor, Lere Paimo, popularly known as Eda Onile Ola, on Wednesday appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and other prominent Nigerians to intervene in what he described as an attempt to cheat him over the remake of his classic film, Ogbori Elemosho.
Paimo made the appeal during a press conference held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he alleged that some individuals were attempting to remake the film without his consent, despite his claim as the original producer.
The veteran filmmaker said Ogbori Elemosho, a Yoruba epic released in the early 1980s, was pivotal to his career and legacy, earning him national recognition, including the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic award, as well as his chieftaincy title of Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso.
According to him, the current Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, had earlier approached him with a proposal to remake the film and requested information on the cost implications. Paimo said he estimated the project at about N100 million, after which the monarch suggested adjustments to the script and promised to revert.
He alleged that in October 2025, some individuals visited his residence, claiming they had received approval from the Soun of Ogbomoso to proceed with the remake, adding that they told him his consent was not required and that they only intended to give him a “gift” for the work.
Paimo further alleged that the group paid N7.5 million into his bank account, which he said his children described as manipulation. He added that he returned the money after consulting with them.
He said his lawyer subsequently issued a cease-and-desist letter to the studio, warning against going ahead with the remake without his approval, but claimed the parties insisted they had the backing of the monarch and threatened that legal action would not bring him justice.
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Describing the situation as an attempt to undermine his legacy, Paimo said the original production of Ogbori Elemosho came at great personal cost, leaving him indebted and leading to the seizure of his car at the time.
He appealed to Governor Makinde, Pastor Adeboye, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State and indigenes of Ogbomoso at home and abroad to intervene, adding that he feared injustice at his old age.
Reacting, the Public Relations Officer to the Soun of Ogbomoso, Peter Olaleye, said the matter was an “in-house issue,” noting that Paimo, as a chief in Ogbomoso, was contacted and officially informed about the project.
Olaleye said the story of Ogbori Elemosho belonged to Ogbomoso and maintained that the production in question was a new story entirely, adding that every bona fide son and daughter of the town was entitled to tell it.