Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has fired back at Habeeb Hamzat Adelaka popularly known as “Peller and his manager, saying that the submission of a letter of request and the mere stamping of such a letter doesn’t constitute approval.
The BCT, through its Secretary, Mr. Frank Irabor, disclosed this in a statement titled: Re: “Clarification on the status of document acknowledgement vis-a-vis palace approval” made available to Journalists in Benin City.
Truth Live News Media reports that Mr Adelaja and his entourage entered the Palace without the requisite permission from the Council on Friday March 6, and their subsequent conduct caused significant embarrassment and a breach of the peace within the Palace grounds.
However, Peller has alleged that he got the approval of visiting the Oba of Benin.
According to the statement, “The Benin Traditional Council views this incident with the 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,”
Truth Live News Media also reports that his unauthorized visit triggered disciplinary actions, including the suspension of a chief, the arrest and prosecution of a palace staff member, and possible sanctions against a queen who appeared in related content.
Speaking on the subject matter, the BTC said it would not have spoken further on the issue but just that the record has to be put into the right perspective.
“The attention of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has been drawn to recent public reactions following its press release concerning the abominable and unauthorized visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin by Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as “Peller,” and his manager.
“Ordinarily, the Benin tradition would not warrant further engagement on such matters.
“However, given the level of misinformation and ignorance displayed by Peller and his manager, it has become necessary to set the record straight.
“It is a well-known principle in any formal establishment that the submission of a letter of request, and the mere stamping or acknowledgment of such a letter, does not constitute approval.
“These are standard institutional protocols and administrative procedures. For the avoidance of doubt, the Benin Traditional Council reiterates that the receipt and stamping of any correspondence by its secretariat only serve as acknowledgment of receipt and do not, in any way, imply approval by His Royal Majesty or the Benin Traditional Council.
“In the absence of explicit authorization, no visit or activity is deemed sanctioned.
Accordingly, the Council calls on Peller and his manager to state publicly whether any formal written approval was granted to them.
“It is also pertinent to ask whether their letter of request disclosed any intention to visit any of the Iloi (Queens).
“As previously communicated, matters arising from the unauthorized visit are currently undergoing disciplinary proceedings.
“Peller has been invited to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, and the Council will not be drawn into public discourse on issues already being addressed through the appropriate internal channels.
“The Benin Traditional Council remains resolute in upholding the customs, traditions, and Sanctity of the Benin Royal Palace”, the statement said.
