More trouble for Peller as FRSC vows to prosecute him after car crash

By Ayox Ojo

Beyond the dents to his vehicle, more trouble is in the offing for popular TikTok streamer Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, over the road traffic crash linked to distracted driving.

Peller had deliberately crashed his newly acquired Mercedes-Benz along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos during an Instagram live session.

Peller, who was alone in the car, was seen in the livestream crying and agitated as he complained over alleged plans of his girlfriend, Jarvis to dump him.

“I’m scared. If you break up with me, people will be mocking me, they will be mocking me, they will be mocking me, they will be, they will be mocking me, they will not… Thank you, I’m going to kill myself.”

Peller was later seen veering off the road and colliding with a barrier.

The crash resulted in significant damage to his vehicle while some people around the area assisted and rushed him to a hospital.

While reports confirm he received medical attention, details on the severity of his injuries remain unconfirmed.

However, the the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday said Peller will be prosecuted for engaging in a live video stream while driving.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed ordered the prosecution of the celebrity while raising concerns over what he described as a growing trend of reckless road use among celebrities, content creators and social media influencers.

He warned that that such behaviour endangers lives and weakens national road safety efforts.

Mohammed said this in a statement signed by the corps spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide.

The Corps Marshall described the incident as unlawful and dangerous, noting that it could have led to loss of lives.

According to him, the incident “serves as a grim reminder that fame does not confer immunity from the law, nor does it excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads.”

According to the FRSC boss “live streaming, content creation, recording or engaging in any activity that distracts a driver while driving is a direct violation of established road traffic regulations and poses grave danger not only to the driver but to other innocent road users.”

Mohammed said such actions undermine efforts aimed at reducing road traffic crashes and fatalities across the country.

He therefore directed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to commence prosecution of Peller.

The charges against Peller, the FRSC boss said, would include “reckless driving, use of phone while driving, and distracted driving, in accordance with extant traffic laws.”

The FRSC boss also urged professional bodies within in entertainment industry to take responsibility for the conduct of their members.

Specifically, he appealed to actors’ guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks and content creator communities to rein in their members and promote responsible behaviour on Nigerian roads.