Popular Nigerian TikTok creator Hamzat Habeeb Adelaja, known online as Peller, has publicly addressed two separate legal and cultural controversies implicating him, denying direct responsibility for the incidents.
The first issue concerns an unauthorised visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin on March 6, 2026. The Benin Traditional Council stated the visit breached palace protocol and violated sacred traditions. The council reported that Peller and his team entered without proper authorisation, leading to disciplinary actions, including the suspension of a chief and the arrest of a palace staff member. The council summoned Peller to appear before its committee and submit a written apology, warning that legal action could follow non-compliance.
During a livestream, Peller responded, stating he acted on his manager’s instructions and was unaware of any required protocols. “My manager asked me to go to the Oba of Benin’s palace. I didn’t know about any protocols. I greeted everyone respectfully. My hands are clean,” he said.
Separately, Peller faces a N395 million civil lawsuit from Lagos resident Osarobo Odigie. The pre-action notice, issued by her lawyers, alleges defamation, cyber harassment, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress. The claim stems from an incident at a Lekki lounge where Peller allegedly recorded and shared a video of a confrontation without Odigie’s consent. The suit seeks N200 million for defamation, N100 million for emotional trauma, N75 million for cyberbullying, and N20 million for legal costs.
Reacting to the lawsuit, Peller admitted he could not afford the sum and appealed for understanding. “I don’t have that kind of money. It feels like people want me to go broke. I’m begging; I’m just a young person who needs guidance,” he stated, noting he had previously apologised for the lounge incident.
The controversies highlight the complex intersection of digital content creation, traditional authority, and privacy law in Nigeria. Peller’s compliance with the Benin Traditional Council’s summons and his legal response to the civil suit will be closely watched. Both cases underscore the potential for significant personal and professional consequences for influencers operating in regulated cultural spaces and public interactions.
