Ogun Imam Breaks Silence On Ogogo’s ₦25 Million, Explains Why He Delayed Returning It

The Chief Imam of Ilaro, Ogun State, Tajudeen Adewunmi, has explained why he returned ₦25 million belonging to the late Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, to his family after some delay.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Adewunmi dismissed reports suggesting that the money entrusted to him by the late actor was meant for a mosque project, explaining that Ogogo had given him the funds to facilitate the reconstruction of his grandfather’s house.

The cleric disclosed this during an interview with BBC Yoruba, where he explained that the money was transferred to him by Ogogo while the actor was receiving medical attention and considering travelling to India for further treatment.

Adewunmi said he and Ogogo had a close relationship, noting that they lived within the same neighbourhood. He explained that after visiting the actor at the hospital, Ogogo contacted him and expressed his desire to keep the money with him so it could be used to rebuild his grandfather’s house.

According to the imam, Ogogo transferred ₦25 million for the project, while also documenting the transaction to ensure there would be a record of the arrangement in case anything happened to either of them.

He said he subsequently informed some members of Ogogo’s family, including the actor’s brother, Ayinde, and his daughter, Rasheedat, about the money and its intended purpose.

However, the situation became more complicated after Ogogo’s death when rumours emerged that the money was connected to a mosque project. Adewunmi said the reports prompted him to clarify the matter with the deceased actor’s family.

He explained that during the seventh-day prayer held in honour of Ogogo, he met with members of the family at about 6 p.m. and discussed the ₦25 million with them.

According to him, he asked the family whether they wanted to continue with Ogogo’s plan to rebuild his grandfather’s house. He said the family agreed that the money should instead be transferred to Ogogo’s elder brother, Rilwan, who would oversee the funds alongside the actor’s children.

Adewunmi said he was willing to return the money and subsequently arranged for Ogogo’s brother, Ayinde, to accompany him to the bank so the funds could be transferred into Rilwan’s account.

The imam maintained that the ₦25 million was never intended for the mosque project, stressing that it was specifically meant for the reconstruction of Ogogo’s grandfather’s house, a project the late actor had planned to personally undertake before his death.