I Was Accused OF Killing My Mentor And His Wife – Oga Bello

Veteran Nigerian actor, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, has revealed that he almost left his acting profession because of the death of his mentor.

Naija News reports that the 73-year-old actor made the disclosure during a recent interview with Feel Right News TV.

He shared the emotional challenges he experienced after the passing of his former boss and mentor, Ojo Ladipo (popularly known as Baba Mero), in 1978. The tragedy was compounded seven years later when Baba Mero’s wife also passed away.

Salami explained that during this difficult period, public speculation and malicious rumours falsely accused him of being responsible for their deaths.

Salami said, “The suffering was a lot and made me conclude that I am not interested in theatre anymore. There was nothing the world did not say about me; they even mentioned that I was the one who was killing them.”

Despite the intense pressure and false allegations, Salami chose to continue his late mentor’s legacy.

As the second-in-command at the time, he assumed leadership of the Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group following Ladipo’s death, a move that eventually propelled him into the national spotlight.

Salami, whose career began in 1964, has since become a major force in the Yoruba film industry as an actor, producer, and director.