Renowned filmmaker and veteran thespian, Lere Osunpaimo, popularly known as Eda Onile Ola, has raised the alarm over what he described as an alleged attempt to strip him of his intellectual and creative rights to his classic film, Ogbori Elemoso, calling for urgent intervention from Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other influential Nigerians.
The veteran actor accused the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and a movie director, Mr. Ben Ayoola, also known as Ben O Ben, of intellectual property theft.
Paimo made the appeal on Wednesday during a press conference in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he accused unnamed individuals of attempting to remake the historic film without his consent.
The respected actor and producer, widely regarded as a pioneer of historical drama in Nollywood, insisted that he is the original producer of Ogbori Elemoso, a film he described as central to his career, legacy, and livelihood.
According to him, the film brought him national recognition and earned him the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), as well as the chieftaincy title of Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso, conferred by the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade II.
“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 on me by the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade II,” Paimo said.
He disclosed that the current Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, had earlier approached him with a proposal to remake the film, placing the project’s cost at about N100 million and suggesting possible adjustments to the script.
He added that in October 2025, a man identified as Ben Ayoola, popularly known as “Ben O Ben,” visited his residence accompanied by individuals who introduced themselves as representatives of Fewchore Studio.
According to him, they claimed they had the monarch’s approval to proceed with the remake, whether or not he agreed.
“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 said Fewchore studio later transferred N7.5 million into his bank account, a move his children described as manipulative and coercive.
On the advice of his children, “I immediately returned the money,” Paimo said, adding that his lawyer subsequently issued a cease-and-desist letter to the studio involved, warning against any attempt to proceed without his express consent.
Despite the legal warning, the filmmaker alleged that the parties remained defiant, insisting they had the backing of powerful interests and suggesting that the law would not protect him.
He said they made it clear that court action would not save him.
Visibly emotional, Paimo warned that what should have been a generational benefit for him and his children was being forcefully taken away.
“This work was meant to be a benefit to my children and me, but powerful individuals are attempting to take it away from me,” he said.
He appealed directly to Governor Seyi Makinde; the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; the Oyo State Commissioner of Police; and sons and daughters of Ogbomoso at home and abroad to intervene and prevent what he described as an injustice.
Paimo also expressed concern that the dispute may be connected to recent rumours circulating on social media about his alleged death, describing the reports as disturbing and suspicious.
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