Oba of Benin sanctions Queen, chief, others over TikToker Peller’s visit to palace

By Jethro Ibileke

The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has sanctioned an unnamed Queen, some of the palace chiefs and other members of staff for allegedly allowing an unauthorized access into the palace to a social media influencer, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, aka Peller.

The sanction was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Frank Irabor.

“The Benin Traditional Council wishes to address the public regarding a serious breach of protocol and desecration of the sacred precincts of the Palace, which occurred on Friday, March 6, 2026.

“The council confirms that an individual, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, a social media influencer popularly known as Peller, gained unauthorised access to the palace premises on the said date.

“Mr Adelaja and his entourage entered the Palace without the requisite permission from the council, and their subsequent conduct caused significant embarrassment and a breach of the peace within the palace grounds.

“The Benin Traditional Council views this incident with the utmost gravity. The Palace is not a public thoroughfare or a location for frivolous content creation, it is the ancient and spiritual seat of the Oba of Benin, governed by centuries of tradition, custom, and sacred protocols,” the statement said.

Irabor noted that the affected Queen is now facing serious disciplinary proceedings, stating that in accordance with Benin traditions and customs.

He added that the proceedings may inadvertently result in her removal from the palace.

According to him, the council has conducted a preliminary investigation into the circumstances that allowed the unauthorised access, adding that stringent disciplinary measures have been taken against palace staff and chiefs who aided the mischievous act.

“Specifically, a chief who was implicated in the incident has been suspended indefinitely from the palace. A staff member of the Benin Traditional Council, identified as Mr Omuemu, has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force. He has been charged in court for causing a breach of the peace and abetting the unauthorised entry.

“Furthermore, it is with deep regret that the council confirms that a Queen of the palace who was unfortunately featured in the incident is now facing serious disciplinary proceedings. In accordance with Benin traditions and customs, these proceedings may inadvertently result in her removal from the palace,” he added.

He further added that following the incident, the council, utilising the same channels within the palace that facilitated the initial entry, extended an invitation to Mr Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja (Peller), requesting that he appear before a committee of chiefs tasked with investigating the matter to provide his own side of the story.

Irabor further said that the council demanded that Mr Adelaja present himself immediately to the relevant authorities within the council but failed to Honour the invitation.

He stated that his unapproved visit had caused untold distress to so many people, and as such, he must tender an unreserved written apology to the palace for his unauthorised access and the embarrassment caused.

The traditional council posited that failure to comply with the directive will leave the council with no option but to pursue legal action.

It said the appropriate law enforcement agencies have been duly informed of this matter and are standing by to take necessary action against him.