Palace Visit: Benin Kingdom Queen Faces Expulsion as Popular Tiktoker, Peller Ordered to Appear Before Chiefs or Risk Legal Action
What began as a routine stop on a nationwide tour has developed into a serious cultural and institutional crisis following the unauthorised visit of TikTok creator, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, to the palace of the Oba of Benin Palace.
Rather than being seen as harmless content creation, the incident has triggered disciplinary actions within the palace and placed long established traditions under pressure.
At the centre of the fallout is not just Peller, but several insiders now facing consequences for allowing the breach.
The Benin Traditional Council described the visit as a desecration of sacred space, an act that undermines customs that govern access to the palace, the spiritual seat of Oba Ewuare II.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary of the council, Frank Irabor, and made available to journalists.
The statement revealed that a chief linked to the incident has been suspended indefinitely, while a palace staff member has been detained and charged for aiding the unauthorised entry.
Most notably, a queen who appeared in the footage now faces possible expulsion from the palace, highlighting the seriousness of the violation.
The council’s directive that Peller must appear before a committee of chiefs goes beyond routine procedure. It is a matter of accountability and respect for tradition.
His appearance will allow the chiefs to determine whether the act resulted from ignorance, negligence, or deliberate disregard for palace customs. Without hearing from him, the investigation remains incomplete.
His presence is also important within the cultural framework of the Benin Kingdom.
Any action that affects the sanctity of the palace must be addressed before the appropriate traditional authority.
Appearing before the chiefs represents recognition of that authority.
It also provides an opportunity for resolution.
The council has asked for an unreserved written apology, but such an apology carries more weight when presented through the proper traditional process. By failing to honour the earlier invitation, Peller risks turning the issue into a legal matter.
The effects of the visit have gone beyond those directly involved.
The incident has caused embarrassment within the palace and raised concerns about protecting sacred institutions in an era shaped by social media.
The council has made it clear that continued refusal to comply will lead to involvement of law enforcement agencies.
At its core, the issue reflects a broader tension between modern digital expression and established traditional authority.
By insisting that Peller presents himself, the council is reinforcing that no level of public influence overrides the customs of the Benin Kingdom.
Compliance may help restore order, while refusal could deepen the consequences for everyone involved.
Source: The Punch