Veteran Nollywood actor, Chief Lere Paimo (aka Eda Onile Ola), is engaged in a battle of wits with the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, over plans to produce a film bothering on the Ogbomoso folklore.
Paimo, a notable son of the ancient town had, several years ago, premiered a film, the popular Ogbori Elemoso, on the ancient history of Ogbomoso.
The film traced the valiant acts of Ogunlola, a legendary Soun of Ogbomoso who founded the town after battling some spirit beings then disturbing parts of the old Oyo Kingdom.
However, Soun and Paimo differed on copyright issues, generating controversies over the essence of the new film, as the latter alleged that the traditional ruler was infringing on his copyright.
The veteran actor had, during a press conference in Ibadan, on Wednesday, alleged that the Soun was planning to deprive him of his copyright to Ogbori Elemoso, a film which shot him into national prominence.
Paimo, in tears before newsmen, had narrated his meeting with the Soun where the issue of a new film was raised.
He stated that he had previously narrated the Ogbomoso folklore through a story titled Ogbori Elemoso, claiming that the copyright belonged to him.
“I was asked how much it will cost to improve on the previously produced Ogbori Elemoso film in order to make it accepted globally. I put the cost at ₦100 million.
“To my chagrin, while I was waiting to hear from the Kabiyesi, who I had a discussion with on the matter, a producer who introduced himself as Ben Ayoola, popularly known as Ben O Ben, came to my house to inform me of the plan to go ahead with the production
“They informed me that they had obtained permission from Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye to film Ogbori Elemoso and that my consent was no longer required.
“I was told that they were in my house to compensate for my past efforts on Ogbomoso folklore with the payment of ₦7.5 million into my account which I refunded on the advice of my children.
“My children described the payment of such amount as an attempt to deprive me of my copyright to the story.
“I suffered greatly to produce this movie. I incurred heavy debts, and my car was even seized because of the loans I took to complete the project,” he said.
Paimo added: “The film is meant to be a legacy that I am planning to bequeath to my children and it should serve as a benefit to my children.
“But I am afraid if such plan will materialise with the recent development. That is why I am seeking the intervention of the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, and other well-meaning people within and outside the country.”
However, Oba Olaoye faulted the claim by Lere Paimo, declaring that the new film on Ogbomoso is a clear departure, far from the Ogbori Elemoso story by the veteran actor.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Soun of Ogbomoso, Rev’d Peter Olaleye, said Oba Olaoye consulted Chief Paimo, who he described as a chief of the Soun, when the new idea was conceived.
“He (Paimo) was even assigned a role to play in the new movie. The issue ought to be an in-house matter. I am surprised by the way Baba is going about it
“Baba Paimo, aside from being a subject of Soun, is a chieftancy title holder. If he has any issue on this matter. He should approach Kabiyesi.
“The new film is about Ogbomoso that every sons and daughters of the land has a right to. It is not peculiar to a person. Moreso, the one that we are talking about now is not that of Baba Paimo,” he said.
But Chief Lere Paimo insisted that the plan was aimed at robbing him of his sweat, declaring, “I am not ready to play either a passive or active role in such a film.”
