Ilaro imam explains transfer of 25 million naira from actor Ogogo
The chief imam of the city of Ilaro in Nigeria, Tajudeen Adewunmi, said that actor and screenwriter Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan transferred 25 million naira to him before his death to rebuild his grandfather’s house. According to the cleric, the funds were not intended for a mosque project, despite rumours that spread after the actor’s death.
As Premium Times Nigeria reports, Hassan died on 23 August after battling stage four cancer. Adewunmi told the BBC that the actor gave him the money when he was considering travelling to India for further treatment.
Record of the transfer
The imam described Hassan as his childhood friend and neighbour. According to him, after receiving the transfer, he immediately recorded the agreement in writing: he explained to his son, Adam, that the money belonged to the actor and signed a corresponding note. Adewunmi also claims that he informed the actor’s younger brother, Ayinde, and his eldest daughter, Rashidat, about the funds.
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The cleric noted that Hassan explained the purpose of the sum by referring to the condition of his grandfather’s house, which he wanted to restore. After the actor’s death, the imam said, claims emerged that the money had been allocated for a mosque, but he denied this.
The funds were transferred to the family
Seven days after Hassan’s burial, Adewunmi said, he invited the actor’s children, wives and other relatives and informed them about the money. He offered the family the option of deciding independently whether to continue the planned construction or use the funds for another purpose that the actor may have agreed with them.
According to the imam, Hassan’s two wives and children agreed to transfer the 25 million naira to the account of the actor’s elder brother, Rilwan. The following day, Adewunmi met Ayinde at the bank and made the transfer. He added that Rilwan should make the further decision on the money together with the late actor’s children.
