The ancient courtyards of the Oba of Benin’s Palace are usually hushed with reverence, their silence broken only by the measured steps of chiefs and attendants. But on March 6, that sanctity was disrupted. Habeeb Adelaja better known as Peller, a TikTok star arrived with a crowd, cameras rolling, and a playful energy that clashed with centuries of tradition.
He greeted a palace chief with the Yoruba title Kabiyesi, a word foreign to Benin custom. He joked about “holding the rain,” and even interacted with a palace queen, who reportedly asked him to follow her on social media. To his online audience, it was lighthearted content. To the palace, it was a breach of sacred order.
The Benin Traditional Council’s response was swift and uncompromising. Peller was ordered to appear before palace authorities and issue a written apology. The Council declared his actions “embarrassing” and warned that failure to comply could lead to legal action.
Inside the palace, consequences rippled:
- A chief was suspended indefinitely.
- A staff member was detained and charged.
- A queen now faces disciplinary measures, with possible removal from her role.
The Council reminded the public that the palace is not a stage for viral content but the spiritual seat of the Oba of Benin, a custodian of tradition stretching back centuries. New security measures were announced: written approval for visits, restricted areas off-limits, and escorts required for all guests. Unauthorized visitors would henceforth be handed over to security agencies.
