Oga Bello Opens Up About Death Allegations Against Him

Veteran actor Adebayo "Oga Bello" Salami shared that he almost stopped acting after being accused of causing the deaths of his mentor, Ojo "Baba Mero" Ladipo, and Baba Mero's wife.

In an interview on Feel Right News TV, released on YouTube on Tuesday, Oga Bello said these accusations were the darkest time in his career. He found himself questioning if he should stay in acting.

Though Oga Bello did not specify what the allegations were or who made them, he mentioned that they grew stronger after Baba Mero and his wife died. This situation left him very upset.

Baba Mero was a key figure in Yoruba theatre and comedy. He started the Young Concert Party, which became the Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group and later the Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group.

Baba Mero passed away in 1978 after being ill for a long time. His wife, known as Iya Mero, died seven years later. After their deaths, Oga Bello took over the management of the theatre group.

He said, "My saddest day on earth was when my boss, Baba Mero, died. There were other sad days as well, but that was the worst. The circumstances that led to his death were a lot to bear; he was sick for a long time, and people were saying a lot of things about me regarding the sickness and his eventual death."

Oga Bello also mentioned how heartbroken he was when Baba Mero's wife passed away. He faced many challenges during that time and thought about quitting acting. He said, "Seven years after Baba Mero died, his wife also died. There was nothing people didn’t say about me. I was accused of killing them and doing a lot of things to the family and the theatre group."

The accusations were so much that he thought about giving up acting, but he did not go into detail about why the allegations started.

He said, "A lot happened, but I can’t say much because if I do, it will touch a lot of people, and whatever I say is what people will hold on to. Aside from people who knew I was their boss, a lot of people said bad things about me, but I can’t reply to them."

Oga Bello's decision to leave acting did not last long after Hubert Ogunde stepped in to help.

He explained that Ogunde, who is seen as one of the founders of Nigerian theatre, was a mentor who often gave him advice and support.

He recalled that shortly after Baba Mero's wife was buried, Ogunde called him after learning about his decision to quit acting. He said, "Before we buried my boss’s wife, it took too long, but when we finally buried her, I don’t know how Baba Ogunde heard about my decision to quit acting. When he called me, I went to meet him, and he said, ‘I was told you said you’re not doing theatre again.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’"

Ogunde asked him what happened, and Oga Bello shared his story. Ogunde responded, "What has my eyes seen? Don’t I know that my problems will be as great as my success? Anybody who faces tribulations gets elevated. There’s a way for you in this profession. Go and continue, and I’ll be praying for you."

Oga Bello said these words changed how he saw things and made him want to stay in acting.

"He was the one who spoke to me, and I changed my mind and returned to acting."