Oba Of Benin Slams Sanctions On Queen, Chief Over Palace Breach By TikToker Peller. He Reacts
The Benin Traditional Council has announced disciplinary measures against a Queen and others after popular TikToker Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, a.ka. Peller, gained unauthorised access to sacred portions of the Oba’s palace on March 6, 2026 as part of his national tour.
The council described the incident as a serious breach of protocol that embarrassed the palace and disrupted its sacred environment.
The Queen involved now faces possible removal, while a Chief has been suspended indefinitely.
Another palace official has been detained and charged by the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly aiding the unauthorised entry.
Peller has been summoned to appear before a committee of chiefs to explain his actions and issue an unreserved written apology.
The council warned that failure to comply could result in legal action, with law enforcement placed on alert to enforce compliance.
Peller has responded.
“I think I will end this tour o problem just Dey come left and right..all my good I do in the tour never count. The Benin boy I helped, those ones are not out there, am tired jor make I go my Yoruba states way I no say if Problem come I go know how to handle it. It is getting boring with different problem everyday. This is not what I planned.”
The full text of the palace statement follows:
BENIN TRADITIONAL COUNCIL
OBA PALACE, BENIN CITY
PMB 1025, King’s Square, Benin City, Edo State, Nigerta 06153283826, e-mall: [email protected]
BTC.A40/VOL.LVII287 16″ March, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
BENIN TRADITIONAL COUNCIL SANCTIONS CHIEFS STAFF AND QUEEN OVER UNAUTHORIZED PALACE ACCESS BY INFLUENCER “PELLER”
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) wishes to address the public regarding a serious
breach of protocol and desecration of the sacred precincts of the Palace, which occurred on Friday, 6 March 2026.
The Council confirms that an individual, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, a social media influencer popularly known as “Peller,” gained unauthorized 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 Council has conducted a preliminary investigation into the circumstances that allowed this unauthorized access.
Consequently, stringent disciplinary measures have been taken against Palace staff and chiefs who aided this 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 to court for causing a breach of the peace and abetting the unauthorized 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.
Following the incident, the Council, utilizing the same channels within the palace that facilitated the initial entry, extended an invitation to Mr. Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja (Pelier). He was requested to appear before a committee of Chiefs tasked with investigating the matter to provide his own side of the story. Regrettably, Mr. Adelaja has failed to honor this invitation.
The Council is therefore using this public medium to demand that Mr. Adelaja present himself immediately to the relevant authorities within the Council. His unapproved visit has caused untold distress to so many people, and as such, he must tender an unreserved written apology to the Palace for his unauthorized access and the embarrassment caused. Failure to comply with this directive will leave the Council with no option but to pursue legal action. The appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies have been duly informed of this matter and are standing by to take necessary action against him.
The Benin Traditional Council assures the public and the entire Benin nation that it remains the unwavering custodian of our age-old customs and traditions. While unscrupulous elements may occasionally attempt to undermine our sacred Institutions, banking on the fatherly and forgiving disposition of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare Il, CFR, they do so at their peril. The Council wishes to state unequivocally that it possesses the institutional tools to immediately correct such infractions and prevent any reoccurrence.
We thank the public for their concern and support in preserving the sanctity and dignity of the Benin throne.
(Frank Irabor), Secretary, Benin Traditional Council.
