Sheikh Imam Tajudeen Aremu Mustapha-Adewunmi, the Chief Imam of Ilaro, has disclosed how late Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, professionally known as “Ogogo,” kept N25 million with him a few days before his death.
The Chief Imam made this known during an exclusive interview with BBC Yoruba, where he shed more light on the controversy surrounding the money.
The cleric also spoke about his close relationship with the late actor, revealing that he visited Ogogo twice at hospitals in Lagos before his death.
He recounted visiting Ogogo at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and later at St Nicholas Hospital on Lagos Island, where he noticed that the actor’s health condition was serious.
According to him, the situation became emotional, as both he and Ogogo eventually cried before he returned home that day.
The Chief Imam said that the following day, while he was at home, Ogogo sent N25 million to him, explaining that the actor wanted to use the money to build his grandfather’s house.
He said Ogogo informed him that he had transferred the money to his account because he was travelling to India for treatment.
Following the transfer, the Chief Imam said he called his son, Adam, and instructed him to document the transaction. He added that he signed the record as a way of ensuring accountability, noting that he did not know who would die first between himself and Ogogo, and that Adam would serve as a witness if anything happened.
After Ogogo’s death, the Chief Imam said some people wanted him to keep the N25 million as money for the mosque, but he refused. He subsequently contacted the actor’s younger brother, Ayinde, as well as his first child, Aisha, to inform them about the money the late actor had entrusted to him.
He further explained that on the seventh day after Ogogo’s death, when the family gathered in Ilaro for the eighth-day Fidau prayer, he informed members of the family about the money.
The Imam said Ogogo’s children and the children of his elder brother eventually agreed that the money should be kept with Ogogo’s elder brother, Alhaji Ridwan.
The Chief Imam described Ogogo as a vacuum that would be difficult to replace, praising the late actor for his good energy, proper behaviour and achievements.
He added that finding a perfect replacement for Ogogo in Ilaro could take a while.
Watch the video below;
Meanwhile, popular Nollywood actor Saidi Balogun has taken to his Instagram page to shower encomiums on the Chief Imam of Ilaro for returning the N25 million secretly entrusted to him by Ogogo to the late actor’s family.
Saidi Balogun described the Chief Imam as an exemplary Muslim and leader.
He noted that while some people have traded their spiritual values for wealth, the Chief Imam had chosen integrity over material gain.
He further revealed that the Chief Imam previously served as the Amir Hajj of Ogun State and, while leading the state’s Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, returned an unspent balance to the Ogun State Government.
Describing him as a true ambassador of Islam, Saidi Balogun urged people to celebrate the Chief Imam for his integrity.
Saidi Balogun wrote:
“The Chief Imaam of Ilaro with whom Ogogo reportedly kept #25million for Mosque or family house renovation. The matter was between Ogogo, the baba Imaam and Allah. Upon the actor’s death, the Chief Imam disclosed about the money to the family and made a complete refund on demand.
“What an exemplary Muslim, Imaam! When some have traded their heaven for wealth, Ilaro Chief Imaam has traded his earthly comfort for paradise.
“He did same thing when he was Amir Hajj, who led Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. He returned an unspent balance to the Ogun State Government.
“Let’s check our own individual mind. This is a true Ambassador of Islam. Let’s celebrate him.”
See Saidi Balogun’s post below;
Recall that Ogogo passed on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66, following his prolonged battle with cancer, leaving colleagues and fans in mourning.
He was buried accroding to islamic rites on Monday, August 24th, 2026 in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State.
The 8th days Fidau prayer was held on August 31st, 2026.
