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The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has sanctioned palace staff, chiefs, and a palace queen following an unauthorised visit by social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja to the palace on March 6, 2026.
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), in a statement by its secretary, Frank Irabor, said the sanctions were due to breaches of palace protocol and the desecration of sacred precincts.
A palace staff member, identified as Mr. Omuemu, has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force and is expected to face court charges for allegedly causing a breach of peace and aiding the unauthorised entry.
A chief implicated in the incident has been suspended indefinitely, while the palace queen is undergoing disciplinary proceedings, which could lead to her removal.
The BTC said, “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 invited Peller to appear before a committee of chiefs to give his account, but he did not attend.
It also stated that Peller was invited by the council to appear before a committee of chiefs tasked with investigating the incident and to give his version of events, but he declined the invitation.
The BTC has directed him to submit an unreserved written apology for the unauthorised access and embarrassment caused, warning that failure to comply may result in legal action.
