Peller: Oba of Benin suspends palace queen, chiefs

Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has sanctioned a palace queen, chiefs, and other staff over the unauthorised access granted to social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, into the palace.

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), in a statement by its secretary, Frank Irabor, said the sanctions followed a breach of protocol and desecration of the palace’s sacred precincts on March 6, 2026.

According to the statement, a palace staff member identified as Mr Omuemu has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force and will be charged in court for allegedly causing a breach of peace and facilitating the unauthorised entry.

The council also disclosed that a chief implicated in the incident has been suspended indefinitely, while the palace queen involved is undergoing disciplinary proceedings in line with Benin customs, which could lead to her removal.

“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 read.

The council said Peller was invited to appear before a committee of chiefs investigating the matter but failed to honour the invitation.

It added that the influencer must tender an unreserved written apology to the palace for the unauthorised visit and the embarrassment caused.

The BTC warned that failure to comply with the directive could result in legal action.