The Chief Imam of Ilaro in Ogun State, Tajudeen Adewunmi, has explained why he returned the N25 million entrusted to him by late veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, to the actor’s family following his death.
Adewunmi said the money was never intended for the construction or renovation of a mosque, contrary to reports that circulated after the actor’s death. He explained that Ogogo gave him the money to rebuild his grandfather’s house in Ilaro.
The cleric disclosed this while recounting his relationship with the late actor and the circumstances surrounding the money in an interview with BBC Yoruba.
According to him, he and Ogogo were close childhood friends and lived only a few houses apart in Ilaro. He said their relationship remained strong until the actor’s final days.
Adewunmi recalled visiting Ogogo at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and later at St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos while he was receiving treatment.
He said his last visit to the actor was particularly emotional because Ogogo’s condition had deteriorated significantly.
During that visit, the actor wanted to eat, and the imam said he assisted him with his meal before praying for him as he prepared to leave. The two men parted in tears, after which they did not have another conversation in person.
Adewunmi said Ogogo later called him and explained that he was considering travelling to India for further medical treatment. Before leaving, however, the actor wanted to make arrangements for the rebuilding of his grandfather’s house because the existing structure was in poor condition.
It was in connection with that project, the imam said, that Ogogo transferred N25 million to his account.
The cleric said he immediately took steps to establish a record showing that the money belonged to the actor.
He informed his son, Adam, about the transfer and instructed him to document the transaction. Adewunmi said he signed the written record and made it clear that the money should be returned to Ogogo or his family if anything happened to him.
He also informed Ogogo’s younger brother, Ayinde, and his first daughter, Rasheedat, that the actor had placed the money in his custody.
According to the imam, the matter remained private until after Ogogo died.
Ogogo died on August 23, 2026, after battling stage-four cancer. Following his death and burial, rumours emerged that the N25 million in the imam’s possession was meant for a mosque project.
Adewunmi rejected the claim, saying Ogogo had clearly told him what the money was intended for.
He subsequently decided to meet with the actor’s family to clarify the situation and determine what should happen to the funds.
The imam said that seven days after Ogogo’s burial, he summoned members of the actor’s family, including his wives and children, and explained that the money had been entrusted to him for the rebuilding of the family house.
He told them that since Ogogo was no longer alive to personally execute the project, they were mature enough to decide whether to continue with his plans or use the money in another way he might have discussed with them.
The family eventually agreed that the money should be transferred to Ogogo’s elder brother, Rilwan.
Adewunmi said he asked Ayinde to accompany him to the bank, where the N25 million was transferred into Rilwan’s account.
He explained that the decision was reached collectively by the family and was not a personal decision on his part.
The cleric stressed that returning the money was the proper thing to do because it belonged to Ogogo and had been entrusted to him for a specific purpose.
He also clarified that the money was not connected to any mosque project, as had been suggested in some reports.
Adewunmi described the late actor as a close friend and neighbour whose death had created a significant void in Ilaro and among members of the Muslim community in Ogun State.
He said Ogogo was a special individual whose contributions to the community would be difficult to replace.
The imam’s decision to document the funds and subsequently transfer the full amount to Ogogo’s family has also attracted attention, particularly because the transaction involved a substantial sum entrusted to him while the actor was receiving treatment.
For the cleric, however, the matter was straightforward: the money belonged to the late actor, and after his death, it was the responsibility of his family to determine how it should be used.
The N25 million has now been returned to the family, while the clarification from the Chief Imam has also addressed speculation over the reason Ogogo placed the funds in his custody before his death.
