Wednesday, March, 18 2026 - Chief Jim Nwobodo, he Benin Traditional Council has announced that a Queen may face removal from the palace after allowing social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, to gain “unauthorised access” to the Oba of Benin’s palace.
The disclosure was made in a statement signed by the
Secretary of the Council, Frank Irabor, and shared with journalists on Tuesday.
Peller, who is currently on a nationwide tour, visited the
palace on March 6, where he was attended to by some palace officials. The
Council described the visit as a serious breach of protocol and a desecration
of the sacred precincts of the palace.
The statement said Peller has also been invited to appear
before a committee of chiefs to present his side of the story.
“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 statement read.
“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. Adelaja and his
entourage entered the Palace without the requisite permission from the council,
and their subsequent conduct caused significant embarrassment and disrupted the
peace within the Palace grounds.
“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.”
Irabor said a preliminary investigation has been conducted
into the circumstances that allowed the unauthorised access. Disciplinary
measures have been taken against palace staff and chiefs who facilitated the
incident. A chief implicated in the matter has been suspended indefinitely,
while a palace staff member, Mr. Omuemu, has been detained by the Nigeria
Police Force and charged with causing a breach of the peace and abetting the
unauthorised entry.
“The council also confirms that a Queen featured in the
incident is now facing serious disciplinary proceedings, which may result in
her removal from the Palace,” Irabor added.
The council said Peller was invited to appear before a
committee of chiefs to explain his actions but has failed to comply. The
council is now demanding that he presents himself immediately and tenders an
unreserved written apology to the Palace. Failure to do so could lead to legal
action.
“The Benin Traditional Council remains the unwavering
custodian of our age-old customs and traditions,” the statement said. “While
unscrupulous elements may occasionally attempt to undermine our sacred
institutions, they do so at their peril. The council possesses the
institutional tools to correct such infractions and prevent any reoccurrence.
We thank the public for supporting the preservation of the sanctity and dignity
of the Benin throne.”
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