Veteran theatre practitioner and filmmaker, Chief Lere Paimo (MFR), popularly known as Eda Onile Ola, has accused the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and Fewchore Studio of attempting to reproduce his iconic film ‘Ogbori Elemoso’ without his approval.
Chief Paimo made the allegation on Wednesday, 17 December, 2025, during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Ibadan.
Speaking at the briefing, the renowned filmmaker said he was the original producer of Ogbori Elemoso, a work he described as pivotal to his career and legacy.
According to him, the film earned him national recognition, including the award of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), and contributed to his chieftaincy title of Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso, conferred by the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade II.
Paimo disclosed that the current Soun of Ogbomoso had earlier approached him with a proposal to remake Ogbori Elemoso and requested information on the cost implications. He said 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.
However, the filmmaker alleged that in October 2025, a man identified as Ben Ayoola, also known as Ben O Ben, alongside individuals who introduced themselves as officials of Fewchore Studio, visited his residence and claimed they had received approval from the Soun of Ogbomoso to remake the film.
“They told me they did not need my permission to remake the movie and that they only wanted to give me a ‘gift’ for the work,” Paimo said.
He further alleged that the group subsequently paid N7.5 million into his bank account, a development his children reportedly described as manipulation and robbery. Following their advice, he said he immediately returned the money to Fewchore Studio.
Paimo stated that his legal counsel later issued a cease-and-desist letter to the studio, warning against proceeding with the remake without his express approval. Despite this, he claimed the parties insisted they had the monarch’s backing and allegedly threatened that legal action would not yield justice for him.
Describing the situation as an attempt to destroy his legacy, Paimo said the original production of Ogbori Elemoso 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 me and my children, but powerful individuals are attempting to take it away from me,” he said.
The veteran actor and filmmaker appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, and sons and daughters of Ogbomoso at home and abroad to intervene in the matter.
He also 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 may be connected to recent rumours of his death circulating on social media.
Paimo urged authorities and stakeholders to ensure that his intellectual property rights and legacy are protected, stressing that he would not allow his life’s work to be taken from him without due process.
