The Chief Imam of Ilaro, Ogun State, Sheikh Tajudeen Adewunmi, has explained why he returned N25 million entrusted to him by late veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, to the actor’s family after his death.

The Imam disclosed that Ogogo personally entrusted the money to him while the actor was still alive, with specific instructions on how it should be used. He said the money was meant for the renovation of Ogogo’s grandfather’s house in Ilaro and was not intended for the construction or renovation of a mosque, as had been speculated in some reports.

According to the cleric, Ogogo sent the N25 million to him while he was receiving treatment for his illness. The Imam said the actor remained concerned about the renovation project and wanted the money kept safely for the purpose.

The cleric, who was said to live only a few houses away from Ogogo, also recounted how he remained close to the actor during his final days. He said he visited Ogogo at the intensive care unit of LASU Hospital and later at St Nicholas Hospital, where he continued to pray for him as his condition deteriorated.

The Imam said he was conscious of the fact that the money did not belong to him and therefore took steps to document the arrangement after receiving it from the actor.

He explained that he involved one of his sons in the matter and had a recording made to establish the circumstances surrounding the money and the purpose for which Ogogo had entrusted it to him. He also informed Ogogo’s younger brother about the funds and their intended use.

Ogogo subsequently died on August 23, 2026, after battling stage-four cancer. He was 66. His death was followed by an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, friends, family members and admirers across the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Following the actor’s death and burial, the Imam said he did not immediately hand the money to any individual. Instead, he waited and subsequently met with Ogogo’s children and other members of the family to discuss the funds and determine how they should be handled.

He said the meeting took place seven days after Ogogo’s burial. During the discussion, the family agreed that the N25 million should be transferred to the late actor’s elder brother.

The Imam said he personally accompanied a member of Ogogo’s family to the bank to ensure that the transfer was completed and that the money reached the family as agreed.

The family later confirmed receipt of the funds during the eighth-day Fidau prayer held for Ogogo in Ilaro on August 31.

The return of the money also clarified the purpose of the funds. While reports and social media discussions had linked the N25 million to a mosque project, the Imam maintained that Ogogo had given him the money specifically for the renovation of his grandfather’s house.

The cleric’s decision to return the money has attracted commendation, particularly from members of the entertainment industry who described the action as an example of honesty, trust and accountability.

Actor Saidi Balogun praised the Ilaro Chief Imam for returning the entire N25 million to Ogogo’s family. Balogun described the cleric as an exemplary Muslim and also recalled his previous experience with the Imam while he served as Amir Hajj for Ogun State pilgrims.

According to Balogun, the Imam had previously demonstrated a similar commitment to accountability by returning unspent funds to the Ogun State Government after leading Muslim pilgrims to Mecca.

The N25 million episode has consequently drawn attention not only because of the amount involved but also because of the trust Ogogo placed in the cleric before his death and the steps taken by the Imam to ensure that the money was eventually returned to the deceased’s family.

For the Chief Imam, the money was never his personal property. It was entrusted to him for a specific purpose, and following Ogogo’s death, he chose to consult the family and transfer the funds to the person they collectively agreed should receive them.

Ogogo was a prominent figure in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning decades as an actor, producer, director and screenwriter. His death has continued to generate tributes from colleagues and admirers who remember his contributions to Nollywood and Yoruba film.