The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), yesterday, said that popular streamer, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, known as Peller, had no approval to visit the palace.

Reacting to a claim by Peller and his management, the BTC Secretary, Frank Irabor, said that the submission of a letter of request and the mere acknowledgement of it do not constitute approval.

The statement read: “The attention of the Benin Traditional Council has been drawn to recent public reactions following its statement concerning the abominable and unauthorised 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 allow 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 acknowledgement 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 acknowledgement of receipt and do not, in any way, imply approval by His Royal Majesty or the Benin Traditional Council. In the absence of explicit authorisation, no visit or activity is deemed sanctioned.”

The BTC urged Peller and his manager to publicly state whether any formal written approval had been granted to them.