The Benin Traditional Council has imposed sanctions on a palace chief, a queen, and other individuals following a breach of protocol tied to the recent visit of social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller.
Acting on behalf of the Oba of Benin, the Council, through its Secretary Frank Irabor, stated that the influencer’s presence at the palace was not officially approved and contravened long-standing traditional procedures.
According to the Council, Adelaja and members of his team reportedly entered the palace without proper authorization, an act described as embarrassing and disruptive to the peace of the royal environment.
Emphasizing the sacred nature of the palace, the Council stressed that it is not a place for casual visits or content creation, but a revered institution guided by centuries-old customs and traditions.
Following an initial investigation, disciplinary measures were taken against those found to have enabled the unauthorized entry. A palace chief involved has been suspended indefinitely, while a staff member, Mr. Omuemu, has been arrested by the police and charged in court for allegedly aiding the incident and breaching public order.
Additionally, a queen who appeared in connection with the visit is currently undergoing disciplinary review, which could result in her removal from palace duties.
The Council has also summoned Adelaja for questioning, noting that he failed to respond to an earlier invitation. It further demanded that he issue a formal written apology or face possible legal consequences.
Describing the situation as troubling, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the cultural integrity and sanctity of the Benin Palace.
To prevent future occurrences, new access rules have been introduced. These include compulsory written requests for visits, prior authorization, restricted movement within the premises, and the implementation of an official access pass system.
The Council warned that anyone found violating these directives would be apprehended and dealt with according to traditional and legal provisions.