Veteran Nigerian actor and theatre icon, Chief Olalere Osunpaimo (MFR), popularly known as Eda Onile Ola, has alleged that the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and Fewchore Studio are guilty of theft.
This followed an attempt by the duo to illegally remake his classic film, Ogbori Elemoso, without his consent.
The veteran actor, who sought the intervention of Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, cried out at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Ibadan.
The renowned dramatist said the alleged move amounted to a calculated attempt to rob him of his intellectual property and legacy, which he laboured to build over decades.
Paimo said Ogbori Elemoso, one of the most celebrated historical films in Yoruba cinematography, earned him a national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and the chieftaincy title of Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso.
He disclosed that the current Soun of Ogbomoso had approached him with a proposal to remake the movie.
”Recently, I was approached by Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the present Soun of Ogbomoso, with a proposal to remake the film Ogbori Elemoso. He asked about the cost implication, and I informed him that the project would cost about One Hundred Million Naira. Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye said he wanted the production to go beyond that budget and requested that some changes be made to the script.”
According to the actor, the matter took a troubling turn in October 2025 when a man identified as Ben Ayoola, also known as Ben O Ben, visited his home with others who claimed to be representatives of Fewchore Studio.
They claimed they had been given permission by Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye to remake Ogbori Elemoso. They told me they did not need my permission to remake the movie and said they only wanted to give me a “gift” for the work,” he said.
Paimo said the group later paid N7.5 million into his bank account after the meeting, a development his children strongly opposed.
”When my children heard about this, they were very angry and described it as robbery and manipulation. They advised me to return the money, which I immediately did, by transferring it back to the bank account of Fewchore Studio.
“I then instructed my legal counsel to write to them, asking them to cease and desist from remaking the film without my express approval. However, they insisted that they had obtained permission from Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye and claimed that nothing could stop them from remaking the movie. They even threatened me, saying that even if I went to court, I would not get justice,” the veteran actor said.
Paimo said he was forced to convene the press conference to seek public intervention, lamenting that the movie was produced at great personal cost.
“I suffered greatly to produce this movie. I became seriously indebted, and my car was seized due to the debts I incurred while producing Ogbori Elemoso. This work was meant to be a benefit to me and my children, but powerful people are trying to take it away from me,” he said.
He also raised concerns about rumours of his death that recently circulated on social media, suggesting that his current ordeal may be connected to the false reports.
”Who knows, perhaps they are even behind the rumours of my death,” Paimo said.
The theatre icon appealed to Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Oyo State Commissioner of Police; sons and daughters of Ogbomoso at home and abroad, as well as well-meaning Nigerians, to intervene.
”Nigerians should please save me from being cheated at my old age by Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye and Fewchore Studio.
“Please, do not allow them to get away with this injustice,” Eda Onile Ola said.
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