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Peller: Queen Ewuare replies Edo palace chiefs

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The controversy surrounding the visit of social media influencer, Habeeb Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, to the Benin Royal Palace has taken a dramatic turn, as Queen Ewuare of the Benin Kingdom publicly challenged claims that the visit was unauthorised.

The queen’s response follows her suspension by the Benin Traditional Council, alongside some chiefs and a palace staff member, over what the council described as a “desecration of the sacred precincts of the palace.”

TikTok Content Creator, Hamzat Habeeb, popularly known as Peller…Photo Credit: Ripples Nigeria
He was reportedly received by certain palace officials during the visit, which later sparked outrage within traditional circles.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, the council condemned the visit as a “breach of protocol,” ordering Peller to appear before a committee of chiefs to explain his actions and tender an unreserved written apology.

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The council further alleged that Peller and his entourage gained access to the palace without the requisite approval, adding that their conduct caused “significant embarrassment” and disrupted the peace within the palace grounds.

It also disclosed that the queen involved in the incident was facing “serious disciplinary proceedings,” which could ultimately result in her removal from the palace.

Queen pushes back

However, in a swift public rebuttal, Queen Ewuare took to her TikTok account (@queen_ewuare-_backup) on Thursday to contest the council’s claims, insisting that the narrative being circulated was misleading.

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A review indicates that the queen made her first video post on the TikTok account on March 26, 2022.

An examination of the page, which now boasts over two million followers, further shows that she consistently shares photos and video content featuring herself and the Oba of Benin during personal engagements and official royal ceremonies.

Sharing what she described as documentary evidence, the queen posted a copy of a letter bearing an acknowledgement stamp from the Benin Traditional Council, which she said proved that Peller’s visit had been formally communicated to the palace ahead of time.

The queen explained that the controversy surrounding Peller’s presence at the palace was influenced by misleading claims from the BTC.

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“Hello everyone, the issues at hand aren’t just because Peller came to the palace or because I gifted him; a lot has been happening behind closed doors.

“The Benin Traditional Council lied that Peller’s visit was unauthorised and that I brought him to the palace. I hope I will be able to convince you all that Peller’s visit was authorised.

“Look at the stamp on this letter; it shows it was received by the Benin Traditional Council, but they’re all lying against me. But this isn’t even the main problem; there are other issues far bigger than what you all think,” she wrote.

The queen also expressed appreciation to supporters who had reached out to check on her following the development.

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The disputed letter

The document shared by the queen, observed by Saturday PUNCH, carries a stamp and signature indicating it was received by the council on February 23, 2026.

Titled ‘Courtesy Visit’ and addressed to Oba Ewuare II, the letter was signed by Uyiekpen Ogiefa. It formally notified the palace of Peller’s planned visit to Benin and requested a brief audience with the monarch.

“With utmost respect and humility, we write to formally inform the palace of the planned visit of a very prominent online streamer, Peller, to Benin, and to the revered palace of the Oba of Benin on March 3, 2026,” the letter partly read.

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It further stated that Ogiefa, son of Chief Courage Uyi Ogiefa, would accompany the influencer during the visit.

However, while the queen maintains that the acknowledgement validates the visit, critics argue that receipt of a letter does not equate to formal approval.

The development has since triggered mixed reactions across social media platforms, with supporters and critics offering sharply different interpretations.

Some users rallied behind the queen, expressing confidence in her position.

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“You will overcome, my great Queen. You are a beacon of light and a worthy representation of Edo women,” a TikTok user, Riemen, wrote.

Others, however, questioned the legitimacy of the claimed authorisation.

“A letter being acknowledged does not mean approval has been granted. There must be a formal response confirming the visit,” a Facebook user, Osasuyi James, argued, urging the release of any official reply from the palace.

Another user, Liberty Okoromi, emphasised the sanctity of the palace, noting that access must strictly adhere to established customs.

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“The palace is not a marketplace. It is a sacred place of tradition. We must respect our heritage,” he said, while calling for leniency towards the influencer.

Peller’s team responds

Amid the growing controversy, Peller’s management issued a statement on Instagram, insisting that due process was followed and that the visit was not intended to disrespect Benin culture.

According to the statement, a formal request was submitted on February 23 for a courtesy visit initially scheduled for March 3 but later shifted to March 6.

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The team acknowledged that they were informed in advance that the Oba would not be available, but were nonetheless permitted to visit and were received by palace representatives.

“They were welcomed, guided through the palace, and educated on its history and traditions,” the statement read.

It added that any actions perceived as inappropriate were unintentional, attributing them to excitement and the warmth of the reception.

“Peller is deeply passionate about promoting Nigerian culture and would never intentionally disrespect the heritage he seeks to showcase,” the statement added, while also apologising for any misconceptions arising from the visit.

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Despite these, the Benin Traditional Council has maintained its hardline stance, reiterating that the palace is not a venue for casual visits or content creation.

“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 stated.

In a further twist, the council disclosed that a palace staff member, identified as Mr Omuemu, had been detained by the Nigeria Police Force and charged in court for allegedly aiding the unauthorised entry and causing a breach of the peace.

It added that law enforcement agencies had been placed on alert and could take further action against those involved.

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BBNaija: Martins becomes first housemate to be evicted

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Big Brother Naija housemate, Martins Iyeh, has become the first contestant to leave the Season 11 of the reality show.

Martins’ eviction was announced during Sunday’s live show by host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

The 30-year-old only spent two weeks inside Biggie’s house.

But he was now evicted after votes by viewers for the nominated housemates were compiled.

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Martins’ departure means there are now 24 contestants left on the reality show.

The season, themed “Everything Is For The Taking” and also known as “Show Ya Sef”, has a record N160m prize package at stake, including N100m cash and an SUV.

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Temitope Osoba Fiancee Reveals Real Cause Of Fiance’s Death

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Prophet Itunu Onadeko, the fiancé of late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, has said she died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, dismissing claims that her death was caused by breast cancer, poisoning or maltreatment.

Onadeko made the disclosure in an interview with the Celestial Reality Check (Media Investigative Unit of the CCC) on Saturday.

He said he was informed about Osoba’s death by an unidentified person who called him around midnight.

“It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” he said.

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Onadeko, who is the Shepherd-in-charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral, Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, said he did not know the particular police station where Osoba died but reported himself at a nearby station.

He said Osoba had gone to see one Mrs Kehinde Osoba, who he said also runs a church, shortly before her death.

“She had insisted to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba, she also has a church, although she said she wanted to see me too. When they left for there, I told them that I wasn’t chanced to go that day because of church programmes.

“The hairdresser that Tope was sleeping in her place was the person that went with her. We maintained communication and she even posted ‘Ogo tun tun’ until I heard that she died in the police station,” he said.

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The prophet also denied knowing the exact police station where Osoba died.

“Although I don’t know the police station she died but I reported myself in a nearby one.”

His claim comes amid reports and social media speculation linking Osoba’s death to her previous battle with breast cancer and alleged maltreatment by her fiancé’s family.

Osoba had publicly spoken about her cancer experience, including her treatment and surgery. In 2024, she announced her return to the public after the experience, describing the period as one that led to her healing, growth and empowerment.

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However, Onadeko insisted that although Osoba had battled cancer and undergone surgery, the illness was not responsible for her death.

“When I first met her, after I did a redemption prayer for her, she told me she wants to do a surgery on cancer. I prayed for her. In fact the day, she planned for her surgery, she did a skit with Boda Wasiu and then we moved to Evacare Hospital,” he said.

Onadeko also denied allegations that he had access to money donated to Osoba for her surgery or used the money to build his church.

“Who has an evidence that the money she got for her surgery is N30m? It wasn’t my account they sent the money to, it was hers. And I didn’t use the money to build church as rumoured. What I know is that people gave her money including Mike Adenuga who offered her a cheque. I never had access to her money.

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“I met Tope like two years ago and the church has been there since 20 years ago. The church is complete before she even joined us. It has been roofed and painted,” he said.

The prophet further denied claims that Osoba was prevented from driving her car, saying she drove it herself when she travelled to Iperu shortly before her death.

“She drove the car out herself. She was going to Iperu one Sunday. I don’t know Iperu that she went to neither do I know who’s she going to meet there but I think it is her mother side,” he said.

According to him, Osoba had reservations about visiting her maternal family because she believed they had not treated her well. He said he encouraged her to maintain contact with them because they were planning to get married.

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Onadeko also said Osoba struggled with smoking and that he had encouraged her to stop.

“She was dealing with smoking habit. And I wanted her to leave it. All the church members know about her smoking habit,” he said.

He also denied allegations that Osoba was maltreated before her death, including claims that faeces or urine was poured on her body as punishment for allegedly stealing biscuits.

“When we were living together, we borrow each other money. She bought gold for herself and me. But she eventually sold them and we both spent the money, there has never been a time that we were under duress.

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“We never rented an apartment, the house she was living is her uncle’s house. After the surgery, she gave her uncle N1m when he insisted that he gave her something at least for staying in the house,” he maintained.

The prophet also dismissed the allegation that Osoba drank poison before her death.

He said the actress had left the church about three weeks before her death and that he contacted one of her uncles, identified as Taiwo, after learning of her death.

“She’s left the church about three weeks ago before her death. Since she died, I didn’t call any of her family. It was one of his uncles, Taiwo that I called but he was really mad at me and insisted that he doesn’t want to speak with me,” he said.

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Temitope Osoba died on Wednesday at the age of 40.

She is set to be laid to rest on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

However, the claims made by Onadeko had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report, and the exact circumstances or cause of Osoba’s death had not been established.

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2baba And Annie Macaulay Follow Each Other On IG Again

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Nigerian singer Innocent “2Baba” Idibia and his estranged wife, actress Annie Macaulay, have followed each other again on Instagram, following viral controversy surrounding the singer and his partner, Natasha Osawaru, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly.

Recall that 2Baba and Annie unfollowed each other on social media days after the “African Queen” hitmaker announced their separation in January 2025.

In July, rumours that the former couple had reconciled trended on social media after a video purportedly showing them together surfaced online.

They, however, dismissed the speculation, saying the footage was old.

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Checks by this newspaper on Sunday showed that 2Baba and Annie now follow each other on Instagram.

Further checks showed that the singer no longer follows his partner on the platform.

The development comes amid reports of an altercation involving the couple outside a nightclub in Abuja on Friday.

Neither the renewed Instagram connection between 2Baba and Annie nor his decision to unfollow Ms Osawaru establishes the state of either relationship.

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The reported incident occurred during the opening of the “90s Lounge” in Abuja and has since generated reactions on social media.

A viral video obtained by this newspaper and widely circulated online purportedly showed moments from the incident.

However, the footage does not show the events that allegedly triggered the confrontation or establish the circumstances surrounding it.

An X user identified as King, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, alleged that Ms Osawaru arrived at the venue with some men and waited for 2Baba.

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He claimed that when the singer arrived, Ms Osawaru approached his vehicle and demanded to speak with him, causing a commotion outside the venue.

The video posted by King, however, does not show the alleged confrontation between Ms Osawaru and 2Baba.

He further alleged that the singer eventually took Ms Osawaru inside the venue to prevent the situation from escalating.

“Allegedly, 2Face and his latest wife, Natasha, haven’t been on good terms for months, and she hasn’t even been able to see him.

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She reportedly heard that the owner of Trukadero was opening a club called 90’s yesterday, so she went there and waited for 2Face.

“When he finally arrived, she rushed to his car and started making a scene, saying she wanted to see her husband and talk to him,” he wrote.

Neither 2Baba nor Ms Osawaru has publicly addressed the account of what allegedly transpired at the venue.

The latest speculation follows previous controversies involving 2Baba and Ms Osawaru since their relationship became public in 2025.

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Ms Osawaru publicly referred to the singer as her husband in May 2025, months after he announced his separation from Annie and subsequently proposed to the Edo lawmaker. The couple later held a traditional wedding.

They later made headlines following a clash during an Instagram Live session hosted by media personality Daddy Freeze.

2Baba and his partner also attracted public attention following reports of an altercation in the United Kingdom that allegedly led to the singer’s arrest.

In another controversy, 2Baba publicly apologised to Ms Osawaru after saying during an interview that “men are not built for one woman.”

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The latest developments have renewed speculation about both his marriage to Ms Osawaru and his relationship with Annie.

However, none of the parties has publicly linked 2Baba and Annie’s decision to follow each other again to the reported problems in his marriage.

 

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