The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has said a queen of the palace may be removed following an unauthorised visit to the palace of Oba Ewuare II by Nigerian social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller.
In a statement on Tuesday by the BTC’s secretary, Frank Irabor, the council said the queen appeared in content recorded during the visit and is now facing disciplinary proceedings that could lead to her removal from the palace in line with Benin traditions.
“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 result in her removal from the palace,” the statement said.
Peller, a TikTok influencer who is currently on a nationwide tour, visited the Oba of Benin Palace on March 6.
In the TikTok live video recorded during the visit, Peller was seen being welcomed into the palace by officials, taken around the premises, and introduced to a prince and a princess.
The clips also showed him loudly interacting with those around him as he moved around the palace.
In its statement, the council described the visit as “unauthorised” and a “serious breach of protocol.”
“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 statement said.
The council emphasised that the palace is not a public space for entertainment content creation, but rather the spiritual and traditional seat of the Oba of Benin, governed by ancient customs and sacred protocols.
It also confirmed that a palace staff member, Omuemu, has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force and charged in court for allegedly causing a breach of the peace and aiding the unauthorised entry.
The council added that it had invited Peller to appear before a committee of chiefs investigating the matter, but he had failed to honour the invitation.
It therefore demanded that the influencer present himself immediately and submit an unreserved written apology to the palace.
“Failure to comply with this directive will leave the council with no option but to pursue legal action,” the council warned, adding that relevant law enforcement agencies have been informed.
The palace of the Oba of Benin is known as one of the most sacred traditional institutions in Nigeria, with access usually restricted to outsiders.
