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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
A Queen in the palace of the Oba of Benin may soon be ejected from the palace over unauthorised palace access to Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, a social media influencer popularly known as “Peller” on Friday, March 6.
Already, a chief in the palace has been suspended indefinitely while a staff member of the Benin Traditional Council, identified as Mr. Omuemu, has been charged to court for causing a breach of the peace and abetting the unauthorised entry over the matter.
Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor, disclosed this in a statement in Benin City.
“The Council has conducted a preliminary investigation into the circumstances that allowed this unauthorised access. Consequently, stringent disciplinary measures have been taken against palace staff and chiefs who aided this mischievous act. 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 Police. He has been charged to court for causing a breach of the peace and abetting the unauthorised entry.
“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 statement said.
Giving details of the incident, BTC confirmed a serious breach of protocol and desecration of the sacred precincts of the palace on Friday, March 6.
“The Council confirms that an individual, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, a social media influencer popularly known as “Peller,” gained unauthorised access to the palace premises on the said date. 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.
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“The Benin Traditional Council views this incident with 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.”
It stated that following the incident, the Council, utilising the same channels within the palace that facilitated the initial entry, extended an invitation to Mr. Adelaja (Peller). He was requested to appear before a committee of chiefs tasked with investigating the matter to provide his own side of the story. Regrettably, Mr. Adelaja has failed to honour the invitation.
“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 so many people and as such, he must tender an unreserved written apology to the palace for his unauthorised access and the embarrassment caused. 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.
“The Benin Traditional Council assures the public and the entire Benin nation that it remains the unwavering custodian of our age-old customs and traditions. While unscrupulous elements may occasionally attempt to undermine our sacred institutions, banking on the fatherly and forgiving disposition of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, they do so at their peril. The Council wishes to state unequivocally that it possesses the institutional tools to immediately correct such infractions and prevent any recurrence.
“We thank the public for their concern and support in preserving the sanctity and dignity of the Benin throne,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, following the incident the BTC is set to roll out stringent measures to regulate visits by members of the public to the Oba Palace.
A statement by Secretary to the BTC, Frank Irabor, said individuals or groups wishing to visit the palace would do so only after approval of a prior application with an identity card issued to them by palace functionaries.
