Benin Traditional Council Suspends Chief, Queen Over Unauthorised Palace Visit By Peller

The Benin Traditional Council has sanctioned a palace chief, a queen, and other individuals following the unauthorised entry of social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, into the Oba of Benin’s Palace.

The council described the incident as a serious breach of palace protocol and an act that disrupted the order and sanctity of the royal environment.

According to reports, a preliminary investigation by the council led to the suspension of a palace chief allegedly involved in facilitating the unauthorised access.

In addition, a palace staff member identified as Mr. Omuemu has been arrested and charged for aiding the entry.

The queen linked to the incident is currently under review and may face further disciplinary measures, including possible removal.

The council has directed Adelaja to appear before it for questioning and to submit a formal written apology regarding the incident.

It warned that failure to comply with these directives could result in legal consequences.

Following the incident, the council announced stricter measures governing access to the palace.

These include mandatory written applications, prior approval before entry, prohibition of loitering within palace premises, and the issuance of official access passes to authorised visitors.

The council emphasised that any future violation of these rules would be treated as an offence under traditional law, with offenders liable to arrest and prosecution.

Reiterating the importance of maintaining the dignity of the Benin Kingdom, the council stressed the need to protect the cultural and spiritual integrity of the palace.

Meanwhile, Peller is reported to be on a tour across several states in Nigeria.