Copyright row: Veteran Nollywood actor Lere Paimo seeks Makinde, Adeboye’s help
Veteran Filmmaker Lere Paimo Appeals to Makinde, Pastor Adeboye Over Alleged Cheating on Ogbori Elemosho
Renowned Yoruba filmmaker and actor, Lere Paimo, popularly known as “Eda Onile Ola”, has appealed to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and other well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in what he described as an attempt to cheat him over his classic film, Ogbori Elemosho.
Paimo made the appeal on Wednesday during a press conference held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he narrated what he described as a troubling experience surrounding the ownership and proposed remake of the iconic movie.
Ogbori Elemosho and Paimo’s Legacy
The classic Yoruba epic film, Ogbori Elemosho, starring the legendary Paimo, rose to prominence in the early 1980s, although some accounts trace its origins to the 1960s, where it reportedly helped define historical drama storytelling in Nollywood.
The veteran filmmaker insisted that he is the original producer of the movie, describing it as pivotal to his career and cultural legacy.
“The film earned me national recognition, including the award of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), and contributed to my chieftaincy title of Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso, conferred by the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade II,” Paimo said.
Alleged Unauthorised Remake and Payment
Paimo revealed that the current Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, had earlier approached him with a proposal to remake Ogbori Elemosho and requested information on production costs.
“He estimated the project at about N100 million and even suggested it could exceed that budget, requesting script changes and promising to revert,” the filmmaker explained.
According to Paimo, matters took a different turn in October 2025 when some individuals allegedly visited his residence claiming they had received approval from the monarch to proceed with the remake.
“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,” he alleged.
He further stated that the group paid N7.5 million into his bank account, which his children reportedly described as manipulation and robbery, prompting him to return the money immediately.
Legal Action and Alleged Threats
The veteran actor said his legal representatives subsequently issued a cease-and-desist letter to the studio involved, warning against proceeding with the remake without his explicit consent.
Despite this, he claimed the parties insisted they had royal backing and allegedly threatened that legal action would not bring him justice.
Describing the situation as an attempt to erase his legacy, Paimo recalled the sacrifices he made during the original production of Ogbori Elemosho.
“I went into serious debt, and my car was even seized at the time. This work was meant to benefit my children and me, but powerful individuals are trying to take it away,” he lamented.
Appeal for Intervention
The elderly filmmaker appealed to key figures and institutions to intervene, including:
- Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State
- Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the RCCG
- The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State
- Sons and daughters of Ogbomoso at home and abroad
He also called on well-meaning Nigerians to protect him from what he described as injustice in his old age, adding that he suspects those involved may be linked to recent rumours of his death circulating on social media.
Soun’s Palace Reacts
Responding to the controversy, the Public Relations Officer to the Soun of Ogbomoso, Peter Olaleye, described the issue as an internal family matter.
“Baba (Eda Onile Ola) is one of the Chiefs in Ogbomoso. He was contacted and officially written to, and the crew even visited his house,” Olaleye said.
He added that the story of Ogbori Elemosho belongs to Ogbomoso and claimed that the production in question is an entirely new story, not the original work produced by Paimo.
As the dispute continues, many cultural stakeholders are watching closely, given the historical importance of Ogbori Elemosho to Yoruba cinema and Nollywood’s heritage.
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