Lere Paimo Lacks Exclusive Ownership Of Ogbomoso History — Fewchore Studios

A film company, Fewchore Studios, has dismissed allegations of remaking an epic movie, Ogbori Elemoso, produced in the 1980s by legendary actor Chief Olalere Osunpaimo, popularly known as Lere Paimo or Eda Onile Ola, insisting that the veteran thespian lacked exclusive copyright to the history of Ogbomoso.

It insisted that the project is an original historical production developed from independent research and authorised by the Soun of Ogbomosoland.

In a statement on Thursday, Fewchore said the name and narrative of the movie, Ogbori Elemoso, referred to Soun Ogunlola, the founder and first king of Ogbomoso, and form part of established history.

“No individual can lawfully claim exclusive ownership over the history of a town or its founding monarch.
“We have not remade or reproduced any film, script, or creative work by Chief Olalere Osunpaimo, nor used any of his proprietary materials. The project is an original historical film developed from independent research,” the studio said.

Fewchore maintained that any copyright held by Chief Paimo was limited to his own prior work, insisting that none of his work had been used or adapted into the new project.

The studio added that the project was being executed with the written permission of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and the custodian of its history, “to promote Ogbomoso’s cultural heritage, encourage indigene engagement, stimulate cultural tourism, and support long-term socio-economic development through responsible historical storytelling”.

It further addressed financial interactions with Chief Paimo, stating that he requested a sum, which was negotiated, and an amount was agreed upon.

“A separate meeting later held at his residence resulted in his request for ₦30 million, following which Fewchore Studios offered ₦15 million strictly as a goodwill gift in recognition of his past contributions and interest in the project.
“This was accepted, formally documented in signed minutes confirming it was a gift and not payment for rights or history, with ₦7.5 million paid as an initial instalment in the presence of witnesses.

“Subsequently, following correspondence from Chief Osunpaimo’s legal representatives, alleging copyright infringement and demanding discontinuance, Chief Olalere Osunpaimo withdrew from the agreed-upon production dates and refunded the ₦7.5 million that had been received earlier,” the studio said.

The studio reaffirmed its commitment to “responsible Yoruba historical storytelling”, saying it conducted the project transparently, “not through coercion, exploitation, or unlawful appropriation.”

Fewchore stressed that “no individual can claim ownership over a town’s history” and reaffirmed its commitment to “responsible Yoruba historical storytelling” while defending itself against what it described as “false or misleading claims.”

LEADERSHIP recalls that Eda Onile Ola, on Wednesday at a press conference, appealed to Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, to prevail on the Soun to halt further infringement on his epic work in his old age.

Chief Paimo claimed that the remake of his work was being done without his consent, alleging that his intellectual property was being exploited without consent.

The film earned the actor national recognition with the award of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), and his chieftaincy title of Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso, which is widely regarded as pivotal to his career and the establishment of historical drama in Nollywood.