Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja a.k.a Peller: In the eye of the storm
One of the Queens (Oloi) in the palace of the Oba of Benin has incurred the wrath of His Royal Majesty, Ewuare 11 and may be expelled anytime soon from the royal household for her role in what the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) described as the “unauthorised access” of a social media influencer, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, a.k.a Peller to the palace on March 6, 2026.
Peller, the alleged ‘trespasser’ was also summoned by the BTC to face a committee of Chiefs constituted to unravel how he entered the palace, and an apology demanded from him for the embarrassment caused or face legal action.
Furthermore, a Chief who was implicated in what the BTC described as a “mischievous act”, has been suspended indefinitely from the Palace, while a member of staff member of the BTC identified as Mr. Omuemu, has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force and charged to court “for causing a breach of the peace and abetting the unauthorized entry.”
Newsmata.com.ng reports that these punitive actions, contained in a press statement on Tuesday issued by its Secretary Frank Irabor, and titled: “Benin Traditional Council sanctions chiefs, staff and queen over unauthorized palace access by Influencer Peller”, were in reaction to a trending video on social media in the aftermath of Peller’s visit.
The BTC said Peller’s presence in the palace constituted “a serious breach of protocol and desecration of the sacred precincts of the Palace.”
The statement said though an invitation was extended to Peller to appear before a committee of Chiefs tasked with investigating the matter to provide his own side of the story, the social media influencer failed to honour the invitation.
The Palace warned that “appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies have been duly informed of this matter and are standing by to take necessary action against him”.
The full statement reads:
“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, 6th 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 (Peller). 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 Apolokpolo, Oba Ewuare I, 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.”