The Chief Imam of Ilaro, Sheikh Tajudeen Adewumi, has spoken on the N25 million left in his care by late Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, saying the money was meant to rebuild the actor’s grandfather’s house and not for a mosque.
Adewunmi made the clarification in an interview with BBC Yoruba posted on Instagram.
The cleric said he and Ogogo lived in the same neighbourhood and had a close relationship.
“I am so close to Alhaji Taiwo Hassan; our houses are in the same neighbourhood”, he said.
According to him, Ogogo called him after a hospital visit and asked him to keep N25 million with him.
“When I got home after visiting him at the hospital, he called and said he wanted to keep money with me so he could complete his grandfather’s house. He said the house was not in good condition and he wanted to rebuild a structure on it. He then transferred N25 million, with the excuse that he was likely to go to India for treatment”, he added.
Adewunmi said he recorded the transaction and notified his son and Ogogo’s family immediately.
“When I got the alert, I informed my son, Adam, to state it somewhere because we did not know who would die first, or in case anything happened to me.
“He gave me the book where he recorded it, and I signed. So, I informed his brother, Ayinde, and his daughter, Rasheedat, too, that Ogogo transferred money to me for this project. After that, it died down until he died.”
After Ogogo died in August 2026 at age 66, rumours surfaced that the money was for a mosque project.
The Imam said he had to address it with the family during the 7th-day Fidau.
He added: “There was a rumour that the money with me was for the mosque project, which I had to clarify. On the seventh-day prayer for the deceased, I had a meeting with his family at 6pm. His daughter was even around at that time.
“So, I explained, and I told them, ‘What should we do about it? If they want to go ahead with his grandfather’s house project, then his children are mature enough to take up the role and monitor it.’
“I was ready to return it. So, we agreed that I transferred the money to Ogogo’s elder brother’s account, Brother Rilwan. So, I said one of his brothers, Ayinde, should meet me at the bank so I could send the money to their elder brother’s account.”
Adewunmi said the family agreed the money should be transferred to Ogogo’s elder brother, Rilwan.
“Mr Rilwan will now know what to do with the money with his children. It is not for the mosque project but for his grandfather’s house, which he wanted to execute personally”, he said.
Ogogo’s death in August 2026 sparked tributes across Nollywood for the veteran actor known for his roles in Yoruba cinema.
