The Benin traditional council says the queen who allowed streamer ‘Peller’ into the palace without authorisation risks being removed.
The incident occurred on March 6 when Peller, born Habeeb Hamzat, during a visit to Benin City as part of a nationwide tour, was received by the queen inside the palace.
The moment Peller met the Queen of Benin Kingdom and lost composure completely😭😂… the Queen requested that Peller follow her back on IG and TikTok and she also showered him with lots of gifts 🎁❤️👸 pic.twitter.com/XagEhDBypF
A video of the interaction, in which Peller referred to her as “the Queen for real,” was widely circulated online.
The queen was also seen presenting him with framed photographs and gift packs, including boxes of perfumes.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Frank Irabor, secretary to the Benin traditional council, described the act as a serious breach of protocol and a desecration of the sacred precincts of the palace.
The council stated that neither Peller nor his entourage sought or obtained the requisite permission before entering the palace grounds.
“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 reads in part.
“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.”
According to the council, a preliminary investigation has been concluded, leading to disciplinary actions against palace staff and chiefs implicated in the incident.
The statement added that a chief has been suspended indefinitely, while a staff member identified as Omuemu has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force and charged in court for causing a breach of the peace and abetting unauthorised entry.
It also confirmed that the queen involved in the incident is now facing serious disciplinary proceedings in line with Benin customs and traditions.
“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 in court for causing a breach of the peace and abetting the unauthorised entry,” it said.
“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.”
The council also extended an invitation to Peller to appear before a committee of chiefs to state to speak on the matter.
“The council is therefore using this public medium to demand that Mr Adelaja presents himself immediately to the relevant authorities within the council. His unapproved visit has caused untold distress to many people, and as such, he must tender an unreserved written apology to the palace for his unauthorised access and the embarrassment caused,” it said.
“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.”
Peller earlier announced a 20-state tour across Nigeria, kicking off in March. The tour included planned visits to Ibadan (Oyo state), Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Kogi, Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Borno, Edo, Port Harcourt (Rivers), Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Niger, and Ebonyi.
