No Life Was Lost In The Collision Between A Train And A Bus At Oshodi - LASEMA

Contrary to the fear that some lives may have been lost in the crash between a train and a Toyota Hiace bus  at Arena in Oshodi, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed no casualty or death was recorded.

LASEMA disclosed this in a preliminary report issued by the Permanent Secretary of the agency , Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, and dated December 23, 2025.

Following the alerts, the agency said it immediately activated the state’s emergency response plan from its Cappa Base in Oshodi and deployed its response team to the scene.

“Following distress alerts received on it’s 767/112 Toll Free Emergency Lines at 1953hours, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from it’s Cappa Base, Oshodi,” the agency stated.

According to LASEMA, its response team arrived at the scene by 8:11pm, where it discovered that a train had collided with a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AGL-671-XR.

“Upon arrival of LRT at the incident scene by 2011hours, it was discovered that a train and a Toyota Hiace bus registration number AGL-671-XR were involved in an accident at the aforementioned location,” the report read.

Giving details of how the accident occurred, the agency said preliminary findings showed that reckless driving by the bus driver led to the incident.

“Preliminary investigation conducted by the Agency’s Response Team revealed the immediate cause of the incident was due to reckless driving on the part of the Toyota Hi-Ace bus driver while driving outside the Arena shopping complex Oshodi, but was hit by an on-coming train which left the bus stuck on the rail tracks,” LASEMA said.

The agency noted that despite the severity of the collision, no one was injured.

“Fortunately, no casualty nor mortality was recorded as a result of the incident,” it added.

However, the crash caused significant damage to the bus.

“The incident resulted in significant damage to the white Toyota Hi-Ace bus, due to magnitude of the crash,” the agency stated.

LASEMA said its response team carried out a risk assessment at the scene and implemented safety measures to prevent further incidents.

“LASEMA Response Team conducted appropriate Risk Assessment of the incident scene and activated necessary Safety and Control Measures, to curtail any secondary incident,” it said.

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Mobile Court Remands 6 Miscreants For Attacking LASTMA Officials

The Lagos State Mobile Courts has ordered the remand of six suspected miscreants over an alleged violent attack on officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other government agencies during a midnight enforcement operation along Airport Road in Lagos.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, by Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, the suspects were among seven individuals arraigned on Tuesday before the Chief Magistrate of the Lagos State Mobile Court on four-count charges bordering on violent conduct and obstruction of lawful duties. 

As the court adjourned the case to February 19, 2026, for further hearing, one of the defendants who pleaded not guilty was admitted to bail, while the remaining six were remanded in custody.

Taofiq stated that the enforcement exercise, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, December 23, was personally led by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki. 

He said the exercise was carried out in collaboration with security operatives, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps, the Lagos State Task Force, and LASTMA field officers.

He said the operation followed a series of formal complaints from the Nigerian Airport Authority (NPA) over the persistent illegal occupation of its facilities by criminal syndicates and defiant commercial bus operators along the airport corridor.

“The operation was precipitated by an avalanche of formal complaints submitted by the Nigerian Airport Authority, lamenting the persistent and unlawful encroachment on its facilities by criminal syndicates and recalcitrant commercial bus operators operating in flagrant defiance of extant regulations,” Taofiq stated.

He said the NPA complained that the activities of the miscreants had become a serious public nuisance, with repeated reports of harassment, intimidation, and the dispossession of unsuspecting members of the public of their personal belongings.

“According to the Management of the Nigerian Airport Authority, the activities of these notorious miscreants and illegal operators had degenerated into a grave public nuisance and an unsightly blight on the airport corridor, with recurring reports of harassment, intimidation, and the dispossession of unsuspecting members of the public of their personal effects,” Taofiq stated.

He said that during the enforcement exercise, five officers of the joint task force were attacked with dangerous weapons. 

In addition, one of the authority’s tow trucks was deliberately set on fire by the assailants in what officials described as a desperate attempt to disrupt the operation and challenge state authority.

He added, “During the lawful execution of the enforcement operation, five officers of the joint task force were viciously attacked with dangerous weapons, while one of the Authority’s tow trucks was deliberately set ablaze by the rampaging miscreants in a desperate attempt to sabotage the exercise and brazenly challenge the authority of the State.”

Despite the alleged attack, Taofiq stated that the enforcement team displayed professionalism and restraint while carrying out their duties under threat.

He said a total of 56 vehicles were impounded during the operation for various traffic and environmental infractions. 

According to Taofiq, the vehicles included 44 commercial buses, five private cars, and seven trucks.

Speaking after the incident, Bakare-Oki reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting public infrastructure, ensuring road safety, and maintaining law and order across the metropolis.

He warned that the state would not succumb to intimidation or violence from criminal elements, stressing that all acts of lawlessness would be met with the full weight of the law. 

 

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Wole Soyinka Centre To Host Public Symposium In Honour Of Biodun Jeyifo At 80

    As debates on decolonisation continue to shape global intellectual and political discourse, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) will, on Monday, 5 January 2026, convene a public symposium in honour of renowned scholar Biodun Jeyifo, Professor Emeritus at Cornell (English) and Harvard (Comparative Literature and African and African American Studies), as he marks his 80th birthday. 

This is contained in a statement from the organizers, made available to Lagos Today Extra!. According to the statement, the symposium will take place at the AGIP Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, at 9:00am (WAT).

“The symposium, themed ‘Who Is Afraid Of Decolonisation?’, will examine Jeyifo’s enduring contributions to curriculum reform, cultural resistance, and critical thought, while interrogating the contemporary relevance of decolonial ideas in education, politics, and public discourse,” the statement read.

It added that the programme will feature a keynote lecture by Priya Gopal, Professor of Post-Colonial Studies at the University of Cambridge, titled ‘Who’s Afraid Of Decolonisation? Reflections on particular pasts and planetary futures.’

“The event which will be chaired by Yemi Ogunbiyi (PhD), Chairman, Tanus Books, Lagos, will have two panel sessions follow the keynote lecture. The first panel will offer critical responses to Gopal’s lecture and will feature Jibrin Ibrahim, Professor of Political Science and Chairman of the Editorial Board, Premium Times; Chidi Amuta (PhD), Chairman, Wilson & Weizman Associates, Lagos; and Akin Adesokan, Professor of Comparative Literature, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA. The session will be moderated by Ropo Sekoni, immediate past Chair, WSCIJ and  Professor of Literature in English.

“The second panel, themed ‘Pedagogy For Liberation: Then And Now’, will bring together former students and mentees of Jeyifo to reflect on his influence as a teacher, thinker, and institution-builder. Panellists include Bisi Anyadike (PhD), Proprietress, Sunshine Nursery and Primary School, Ile-Ife; Kunle Ajibade, Co-founder, TheNEWS and PM NEWS; and Ogaga Ifowodo (PhD), lawyer and poet. The session will be moderated by Chima Anyadike, Professor of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,” the statement also read.

A major highlight of the symposium will be remarks by the celebrant, Jeyifo, reflecting on curriculum, society, and revolution across generations.

The symposium will convene students, scholars, writers, journalists, and cultural critics, and will conclude with audience interactions, networking, and reflections on Jeyifo’s enduring contribution to African scholarship and critical pedagogy. 

Members of the public are invited to attend.

 

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‘Oversabi Aunty’ Movie Rakes In N99.8 Million At Opening Weekend

‘Oversabi Aunty’ has recorded a strong debut at the Nigerian box office, grossing N99.8 million in its opening weekend to emerge as the second highest-grossing film of the weekend.

The movie, distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, also ranks as Nollywood’s second highest opening film of 2025, underscoring a solid start in cinemas nationwide.

In a post shared on its official Instagram page, FilmOne thanked audiences across West Africa for the impressive turnout, describing the opening weekend performance as a major milestone for the production.

“Thank you West Africa,” the distributor said, noting that Oversabi Aunty delivered an opening weekend box office figure of N99.8 million, placing it among the top-performing Nollywood releases of the year.

The film’s opening performance highlights the growing appetite for locally produced titles and signals sustained cinema traffic as the year progresses.

With its strong start, Oversabi Aunty is expected to maintain momentum and remain a notable attraction in cinemas in the coming weeks. 

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Marriage And Faith On The Front Burner As Katherine Nathan Releases Three Books

Katherine Nathan, has presented three books titled ‘See Him,’ ‘Forty Four,’ and ‘Daily Dose of Faith,’ at an event in Lagos that brought

together family members, pastors, colleagues, and readers.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the CEO of Stravigo, Omolabake Fatayo, the event provided a platform for participants to engage with narratives

shaped by real-life experiences of marriage, loss, faith, and personal growth.

“The reviews of the books were led by voices who engaged deeply with the themes, not from theory, but from lived experience.

“Their reflections focused on perception within marriage and the need for wives to recognise love as it is expressed, not only as it is expected”, the

statement partly read.

It added that the author’s mother, Mrs Bridget Okpeaye, who reviewed ‘See Him’, alongside the Resident Pastor of David’s Christian Centre, Pastor Eyewunmi

Ghereje, spoke about the book’s message to women across different stages of marriage, stating that “The book challenges women to change the lens through

which they view their husbands”, noting that “love is often present but unseen because of emotional habits and long-held assumptions.”

She described the book as “engaging, practical, and relevant across generations and stages of marriage.”

It further noted that ‘Forty Four’ was reviewed by the Executive Director at Lekki Gardens, Dr Christy Amida, and the founder of Raising Women Initiative

and L’avyanna, Dr May Ikeora.

“Their reflections drew listeners into a journey marked by answered prayers, unexpected loss, surrender, and faith held quietly in pain. Both reviewers

spoke about the emotional honesty of the book, highlighting how grief was presented without haste and faith without performance. The audience listened

intently, and many visibly moved,” the statement continued.

The third book, ‘Daily Dose of Faith’, was reviewed by a Certified Marriage and Relationship Coach at David’s Christian Centre, Pastor Chikezie Oke, alongside

Mrs Ogochukwu Ghereje.

“Their reflections centred on the importance of daily spiritual encounters, courage, and vigilance. Pastor Chikezie spoke about faith as a lived experience

that shapes direction and identity, while Mrs Ghereje highlighted the need to guard thoughts, habits, and spiritual posture in everyday life,” the statement

added.

The three books were consistently described during the launch as grounded in lived faith and personal reflection.

“Across the reviews, the books were consistently presented as honest, vulnerable, and grounded in lived faith. The launch stood as a moment of testimony

and purpose, marking a significant chapter in Katherine Nathan’s journey as an author committed to healing, clarity, and spiritual growth”, the statement said.

 

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NDLEA Arrests Female Drugs Trafficking Kingpin With N5 Billion Worth Of Drugs In Surulere

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a suspected key member of a cocaine trafficking syndicate previously dismantled in Lagos and Ogun states, Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat.

The arrest comes about 20 months after operatives of the NDLEA smashed a cocaine cartel led by a couple, Bolanle Lookman Dauda and Olayinka Toheebat Dauda, with multi-billion-naira worth of cocaine seized.

Lookman Dauda and Toheebat Dauda were arrested on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Ibiye along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway while attempting to cross the land border to deliver cocaine to Ghana.

At the point of arrest, 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms were recovered from them.

A follow-up operation at their residence at Plot 24/25, OPIC Extension, Petedo Road, Agbara, Ogun State, led to the recovery of eight additional blocks of cocaine weighing 10 kilograms, bringing the total seizure from the couple to 57.5 kilograms.

A statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said following continued intelligence gathering and surveillance, NDLEA operatives identified 39-year-old Simbiat as a key member and stash keeper of the trans-border drug trafficking organisation.

Babafemi said Simbiat was tracked to her residence on December 9, 2025, and drugs were found hidden in her children’s room worth N5bn.

The statement partly read, “A swift follow-up operation in their residence at Plot 24/25 OPIC extension, Petedo road, Agbara, Ogun state, led to the recovery of an additional eight blocks of the same drug weighing 10kg, bringing the total weight of the consignment seized from the couple to 57.5 kilograms.

“Determined to rein in every member of the syndicate, the NDLEA operatives continued with follow-up intelligence and surveillance on the trans-border drug trafficking organisation until a 39-year-old female stash keeper, Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, was identified as a key member of the DTO. As a result, she was trailed to her 31 Onasanya street, Surulere, Lagos residence on Tuesday, 9th December 2025.

“A thorough search of her home led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine weighing 23.50 kilograms concealed in a black suitcase recovered from her children’s room. She admitted ownership of the drug consignment worth over N5billion in street value.”

In a related development, he said NDLEA operatives at the Terminal II departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, December 18, intercepted a 36-year-old businessman, Nwanwene Robinson Destiny, while attempting to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Milan, Italy. A total of 1,020 pills of tramadol 225mg and tapentadol 200mg were found concealed in his luggage.

He said the suspect claimed he would have been paid €200 for delivering the opioids in Italy.

Also, at the Seme border in Badagry, NDLEA officers on Thursday, December 18, arrested a 48-year-old Beninoise, Leocardi Josu, while attempting to enter Nigeria with 3,400 tablets of tramadol 225mg.

“A suspect, Abdullahi Adamu, 30, was nabbed along the Okene/Lokoja highway with 28.400kg skunk, a strain of cannabis and Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, on Friday, 19th December. In Oyo state, NDLEA operatives on Friday 19th December recovered 125,000 capsules of tramadol and 1,800 ampoules of pentazocine injection in a Toyota Hiace bus marked XD 592 AWL along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, while two suspects: Ogunlade Kazeem, 54, and Adeleke Ismail, 30, were arrested with 185.4 kilograms of skunk at Challenge motor park, Ibadan, on Wednesday 17th December, ” the statement added.

 

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RCCG Holds 2nd Edition Of 'Jesus Market', Distributes Gift Items To Residents Of Isolo

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Prosperity Assembly, Okeafa, Isolo, on Sunday held the second edition of its community outreach programme, tagged “Jesus Market,” distributing free food and household items to residents.

The event, which took place at the church premises, attracted members of the congregation as well as residents from the surrounding community. Packages containing rice, beans and garri were given to families, alongside other essentials.

Speaking during the outreach, the resident pastor, Bisi Folahan, explained that the second edition was focused on expressing the love of Christ through giving. “This particular edition focuses on the love of Christ. Unlike the first edition, where we sold items at very low prices, this time we decided to give out most of the items free of charge,” he said.

He added, “We want to show the love of Christ; Jesus came as a gift to the world, and if He is a gift, then we should also give gifts to people freely.”

Folahan disclosed that the outreach was supported by corporate organisations, foundations and individual church members. “These partners sent items which we distributed free of charge. The resources we put together for this edition run into millions of naira,” he said. He noted that despite economic challenges, the church intends to sustain the initiative. “This is God’s project, and for every project of God, provision will always be made. We are already receiving support from organisations and individuals, and by God’s grace, we will continue to do this twice every year,” he added.

He further revealed plans to expand future editions to include medical outreach, scholarships and other social interventions.

Pastor Mercy Oloworoporoku, who oversees the church’s welfare, emphasised that the programme was open to all. “We welcome people from the community; our goal is to put smiles on as many faces as possible,” she said.

Similarly, the assistant pastor in charge of Area 12, Seun Folahan, highlighted the importance of generosity. “This season is about giving; as we give, God will also give back to us,” she said.

Head of the Welfare Department, Mrs Faith Okoduwa-Ilembiluan, confirmed that 120 Christmas food boxes were distributed to families, while additional food items supplied by an NGO were given to members of the public. She urged the church to organise more editions in the future.

A beneficiary, Ms Victoria Ernest, described the outreach as timely. “The Jesus Market has been amazing with the extension of low-cost food items,” she said.

Organisers assured that future editions of the outreach would be expanded to include people within and outside the community.

 

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Marriage Scandal: Actress Doris Ogala Shares Nude photograph Of Pastor Chris

Embattled Lagos-based pastor, Chris Okafor, has refused to comment on the viral claims of actress, Doris Ogala that he promised to marry her and several others, including members of his church, while eventually tying the knot with someone else.

In a now-deleted post of what appeared to be a picture of Okafor topless and with a towel round his waist in a bedroom, Ogala wrote, “This is his bedroom. After making love. Full video dropping soon. You said I’m lying; okay. You shared my naked body. Everyone will watch yours. This video is from a girl he promised marriage. She sent it to me.”

This comes after the embattled cleric’s wedding to his new bride, simply identified as Pearl, during the week. Okafor went on with the ceremony despite Ogala’s viral accusations of betrayal, emotional manipulation, and breaking a promise of marriage after an alleged long-term romantic relationship.

In one of the numerous videos, Ogala tearfully accused Okafor of destroying her life after the alleged relationship that spanned several years, starting around 2017. She claimed that she ended her previous marriage at his urging, and suffered immense emotional distress when he abruptly ended things without notice.

Apparently referring to Okafor’s forthcoming wedding at the time, she kept repeating, “No, you will not marry ooo, who are you leaving me for, this marriage will not work”

In an earlier interview, Ogala maintained that she was in a well-known relationship with Okafor. She said, “I practically lived in his house, and all his daughters and his sister’s son know me. We had sex everywhere in the house because he was my boyfriend then, and he promised me marriage.”

In yet another an interview with Daddy Freeze during the week, Ogala stated that her recent outburst was triggered by a moment of vulnerability.

She insisted that she had a “deeply affectionate relationship” with Okafor. She said, “The relationship Chris and I shared was filled with so much love. I knew it was love at first sight because I’m an actor and I understand what love means. We were so close that he never hid anything from me. We were so much in love with each other.”

She claimed that the relationship lasted from 2017 to 2019.

In another video on her page, a colleague of hers, identified as Digidi Dunhill, claimed that Ogala had tried to harm herself.

The actress also shared a “formal demand letter” from her lawyers, Synergy Law, on her Instagram page during the week.

In the letter, a demand of N1bn in damages from Okafor for breach of marriage promise, emotional distress, and reputational harm was stated. In accompanying posts, she accused him of granting her access to his finances during their relationship, only to abandon her upon his engagement.

The legal notice gave Okafor 21 days to comply or face court action. Her reasons remained consistent: seeking redress for the alleged betrayal, financial losses, and emotional trauma triggered by his wedding plans, which she claimed were forced due to underlying scandals.

Meanwhile, in another video, a lady identified as Benita Ahane, who is alleged to be the sister of Doris’ ex-husband, Kingsley Ayanwu, noted that the only reason her ‘brother’ and Ogala’s marriage didn’t work was that she (Ogala) didn’t want to give birth but preferred to pursue her career. Reacting to the video, Ogala said the woman was impersonating her ex-husband’s sister, and called for more information on her to enable her arrest for “impersonation.”

However, despite the fierce drama online, Okafor continued with his wedding plans.

He and his new bride, Pearl, could be seen basking in marital bliss after their traditional and white wedding held in Lekki, Lagos, on December 16.

In a pre-wedding video, Pearl showered praise on her husband. She said, ‎“We met by divine orchestration, it was something that would not have happened by human efforts, God brought us together.”

She described him as her “all in all” and added, “I look forward to having his children and growing my family in the glory of God.”

Okafor equally appeared smitten, and he could be seen gushing over her in the footage.

Photos and videos from the wedding showed the couple dancing joyfully, celebrating, and openly doting on each other.

The groom later posted videos from their traditional shoot and proposal on Instagram, but switched off the comment section.

 

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Ini Edo And CAN Clash Over 'A Very Dirty Christmas' Movie

The National Film and Video Censors Board has requested actress and filmmaker, Ini Edo, to modify the title of her film, ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’.

The Board, in a statement issued by the Executive Director and CEO of the NFVCB, Shaibu Husseini, acknowledged concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria and members of the public over the film’s title.

The statement read, “Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, and the Board is mindful of the importance of ensuring that films exhibited in the country do not undermine religious harmony or offend deeply held beliefs. The NFVCB clarifies that the film was approved and classified after undergoing the established censorship and classification process, during which the Film Censorship Committee examined the work within its narrative and thematic context. The approval of the title was not intended to disparage or trivialize the Christian faith or the significance of Christmas, but was considered as part of a fictional and creative expression.

“However, the Board recognises that public perception and reception are critical elements of effective regulation. In light of the concerns raised by CAN, and in the spirit of responsiveness and dialogue, we have requested the producer to modify the title.”

The Board also assured the public that it remains guided by the provisions of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, including Section 39(1), which empowers the Film Censorship Committee to withdraw a film from exhibition for further review if deemed necessary in the public interest.

CAN had earlier criticised the title of the movie. In a statement on Tuesday, the chairman of the association, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described it as offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith, calling for immediate review by the relevant authorities.

Okoh emphasised that Christmas is a sacred period marking the birth of Jesus Christ, symbolising purity, peace, love, and redemption. He argued that associating the celebration with the word “dirty” diminishes its spiritual significance and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational.

In her response, Ini Edo stated that the film did not mean to ridicule the Christian faith. A statement she shared on social media read, “I am a devout Christian. My faith is deeply personal to me, and it guides my values, my choices, and my life. I would never knowingly create or associate myself with any work that seeks to misrepresent, disrespect, or undermine my religion or the essence of Christmas.

“The title of the film is metaphorical, reflecting the story being told and the realities explored within it. Christmas, while sacred, is also a season that often reveals the contrast between appearance and truth, joy and struggle, virtue and human imperfection.”

The actress also stated that the film had been “publicly promoting” for sometime, with its title clearly visible across multiple media platforms. She added, “During this entire period, no concerns or objections were raised. It is therefore surprising that reservations are only being expressed after the film has been released and duly approved by the appropriate regulatory authority.”

Calling on fans to make their own decisions on the film, Edo said, “I invite everyone to go to cinemas across Nigeria to watch the movie for themselves. See the story, feel the message and judge it in its proper context.”

The film, which was directed by Akay Mason was released in cinemas on December 16, and features Eucharia Anunobi, Femi Branch, IK Ogbonna, Lateef Adedimeji, Nancy Isime, Taye Arimoro, Josephina Otabor, and Wumi Toriola, among others.

 

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Ogbori Elemoso Movie: We Did Not Infringe On The Copyright Of Olalere Paimo - Fewchore Studios

Fewchore Studios has denied claims that it unlawfully remade the classic Yoruba film, Ogbori Elemoso.

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

The clarification follows allegations by veteran Nollywood actor, Chief Olalere Paimo, popularly known as “Eda Onile Ola,” who said his intellectual property was being exploited without consent.

The controversy follows Paimo’s claim that Ogbori Elemoso, a historical Yoruba film produced in the early 1980s, was being remade without his permission.

The film, which earned him national recognition and his chieftaincy title, Are Arobajo of Ogbomoso, is widely regarded as pivotal to his career and the establishment of historical drama in Nollywood.

Paimo had appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and other prominent Nigerians to intervene in the matter, describing the alleged infringement as an attempt to undermine his legacy.

In a statement, Fewchore said the name and narrative of Ogbori Elemoso refer 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.

It said any copyright held by Osunpaimo remains limited to his own prior work, none of which has been used or adapted.

Fewchore added that the project is being executed with the permission of the traditional rulers involved.

“Fewchore Studios is executing the project with the express written authorisation of Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomosoland and 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 said.

The studio also addressed financial interactions with Paimo, stating that he requested a sum, which was negotiated, and an amount was agreed upon.

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,” the studio stated.

Fewchore stressed that Paimo subsequently withdrew from the project following legal correspondence from his representatives.

“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.

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

Addressing claims of ownership over the title, Fewchore Studios also disputed claims of exclusive rights over the Ogbori Elemoso title, citing official records.

“Contrary to public insinuations, there is no registered copyright or trademark in the name Ogbori Elemoso in favour of Chief Olalere Osunpaimo at the Nigerian Copyright Commission or any trademark registry. Appeals to political or religious figures cannot create rights where none exist in law,” the studio said.

Fewchore concluded 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.”

 

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