The Soun of Ogbomosho Land, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Olaoye, has dismissed allegations made by renowned filmmaker and veteran actor Lere Osunpaimo, popularly known as Eda Onile Ola. Lere Paimo had claimed that there are plans to strip him of his intellectual and creative rights to his classic film, “Ogbori Elemoso.”
Ogbori Elemoso is one of the few notable Yoruba historical films that dramatise the events leading to the establishment of the Ogbomoso land.
The film was written and produced by veteran Mr Paimo in 1987 and distributed by Eda Films Ltd. It features a cast of prominent Nollywood and theatre veterans, including Jide Kosoko, Lere Paimo, Kareem Adepoju, Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow), Isola Ogunsola, Dento, Deji Olofa Ina and Ogun Majek.
The veteran actor also alleged they were acting with the backing of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
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However, in response to Lere Paimo’s allegations, the palace in a press statement on Friday signed by the media assistant to Soun of Ogbomosoland, stated that “His Imperial Majesty had earlier engaged Baba Lere Paimo and informed him of the intention to creatively remodel the story of Ogbomoso in a manner that aligns with global storytelling standards, including platforms such as Netflix.”
The monarch further clarified that the financial offer made to him was strictly for his participation as an actor and contributor, not for the purchase of any copyright.
The statement read in part: “His Imperial Majesty had earlier engaged Baba Lere Paimo and informed him of the intention to creatively remodel the story of Ogbomoso in a manner that aligns with global storytelling standards, including platforms such as Netflix. In this regard, His Majesty told Baba Lere Paimo that he would like him to be part of this project and as one of the characters in the proposed movie project. The financial offer made to him was strictly for his participation as an actor and contributor, not for the purchase of any copyright.
“Extensive findings were conducted, and it was established that the story in question is not copyrighted. Furthermore, the movie currently in production bears a completely different title, a distinct and expanded storyline, and a separate plot structure. While it draws inspiration from the history of Ogbomosoland, it is a creative work that does not replicate or appropriate any exclusive material.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Baba Lere Paimo was offered the sum of ₦7.5 million, an amount significantly higher than what was offered to other participants. This gesture was unfortunately misunderstood as payment for copyright ownership, which is incorrect. It must be clearly stated that no individual can claim exclusive ownership or copyright over the history of a town.”
Soun maintains, “As the Soun of Ogbomosoland and custodian of the people’s history and culture, His Imperial Majesty affirms that history is not static but dynamic. The intention was never to appropriate or distort history, but to allow Baba Lere Paimo the opportunity to present his own perspective within a broader, creatively reimagined narrative.
“It is on record that Baba Lere Paimo did, in fact, share his version of the Ogbórí Elemoso story during earlier engagements. The forthcoming movie, scheduled for release next year, is therefore not an exclusive retelling of any one individual’s account, but a creative production with a new name and a complete, original storyline.”
“His Imperial Majesty is of the view that Baba Lere Paimo may have been misled into believing that the history of Ogbomosoland is exclusive to him. This is not the case. The story of Ogbomosoland belongs to the public domain, and the script of the movie in question is entirely original.
“This matter does not constitute a case. His Imperial Majesty would have preferred that it not enter the public space at all. However, this clarification has become necessary to curb the spread of misinformation and to set the record straight. While the movie is inspired by the history of our town, the story remains in the public domain, and the production itself is based on a completely different script, title, and plot.”
