A renowned firmmaker, Lere Paimo, popularly known as “Eda Onile Ola’, has called on well meaning Nigerians to come to his aid from being allegedly cheated over his long, originally produced “Ogbori Elemosho’ film
Penpushing reports that Paimo made the appeal on Wednesday at a press conference held in Ibadan, the state capital and specifically sought the help of Governor Seyi Makinde and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
The classic Yoruba film “Ogbori Elemosho,” starring legendary actor Paimo, gained fame and was a significant epic released around the early 1980s, but some sources suggest it was a key work in the 1960s that built his reputation, establishing a historical drama genre in Nollywood.
Penpushing further reports that the renowned Yoruba actor insisted that he was the original producer of Ogbori Elemosho, a work he described as pivotal to his career and legacy.
“The film earned me national recognition, including the award of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, and contributed to my chieftaincy title of Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso, conferred by the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade II’, he said.
“The current Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, had earlier approached me with a proposal to remake Ogbori Elemosho and requested information on the cost implications’, Paimo added.
“He estimated the project at about N100 million, after which the monarch suggested that the production could go beyond that budget and requested changes to the script, promising to revert’, he stated
Penpushing also reports that the aged filmmaker alleged that in October 2025, someone, alongside others, visited his residence and claimed they had received approval from the Soun of Ogbomoso to remake the film.
The Ogbomoso born veteran actor said they told him they did not need my permission to remake the movie and that they only wanted to give him a ‘gift’ for the work, alleging that the group subsequently paid N7.5 million into his bank account, a development his children reportedly described as manipulation and robbery.
Penpushing reports that he explained that that following his children advice, he immediately returned the money to the group, explaining that his legal counsel later issued a cease-and-desist letter to the studio, warning against proceeding with the remake without his express approval.
The actor pointed out that despite this, he stressed that the parties insisted they had the traditional ruler backing and allegedly threatened that legal action would not yield justice for him.
Penpushing further reports that Paimo describing the situation as an attempt to destroy his legacy,r said the original production of Ogbori Elemosho came at great personal cost, leaving him heavily indebted and leading to the seizure of his car at the time.
“This work was meant to be a benefit to my children and me, but powerful individuals are attempting to take it away from me. I want to appeal to Governor Makinde, Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the RCCG, the Commissioner of Police in this state, and sons and daughters of Ogbomoso at home and abroad to intervene in the matter.”
Penpushing also reports that he equally called on well-meaning Nigerians to help protect him from what he described as injustice at his old age, adding that he suspects those involved might be connected to recent rumours of his death circulating on social media.
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