•By OYENIYI KAZEEM
The thespian made the allegation while addressing journalists during a press conference held on Wednesday at the BCOS NUJ Hall, Ibadan, where he broke down in tears as he narrated his ordeal.
Chief Paimo explained that Ogbori Elemoso, an epic movie produced and released as a home video in 1990, was solely his creative work, which he said cost him enormous personal sacrifices, including heavy debts and the seizure of his car at the time of production.
Accompanied by his legal adviser, Barrister Orioye Oluwasanmi, his daughter, Mrs. Baleeqis Abdulahi-Paimo, and a fellow thespian, Mr. Mikail Ariyo, the veteran actor appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and prevent what he described as the destruction of his legacy.
“Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye informed me of his intention to remake Ogbori Elemoso and asked about the cost implication. I told him the project would cost about ₦100 million, but he said he wanted a bigger production and requested changes to the script. He promised to revert,” Paimo said.
He added that in October 2025, a man identified as Ben Ayoola,. popularly known as “Ben O Ben” visited his residence alongside some individuals who introduced themselves as representatives of Fewchore Studio.
“They claimed they had obtained permission from the Soun of Ogbomosho to remake the movie and told me they did not need my consent. They said they only wanted to give me a ‘gift’,” he alleged.
According to Paimo, the sum of ₦7.5 million was later paid into his bank account by Fewchore Studio, an action his children reportedly described as “robbery and manipulation.” He said he immediately refunded the money and instructed his lawyer to issue a cease-and-desist letter to the studio.
However, he alleged that the producers ignored the warning and insisted they had royal backing to proceed, adding that they allegedly threatened him and claimed he would not get justice even if he went to court.
“This press conference is my last resort,” the veteran actor lamented. “I am calling on the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde; the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; sons and daughters of Ogbomosho at home and abroad; and all Nigerians of goodwill to intervene and rescue me from being cheated at my old age.”
He further alleged that the attempt to remake the film without his consent was part of a broader scheme to erase his contribution to Yoruba cinema, suggesting that those behind the project might even be linked to recent rumours of his death circulating on social media.
“All I ask for is justice. This work was meant to benefit me and my children. Please do not allow powerful individuals to take it away from me,” he pleaded.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Soun of Ogbomosho proved unsuccessful, as calls placed to his media aide were not returned as of the time of filing this report.