Deposed Benin Queen Drops Royal Title, Claims BTC Lied Against Her

The deposed Queen of Benin Kingdom, Owamagbe, has dropped her royal title, ‘Queen Ewuare’ an indication that she has formally been banished from the palace of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11.

This indication emerged from her social media handles which no longer bear her royal title.

Owamagbe was the fourth wife of His Royal Majesty and the elder sister of the fifth wife, Queen Aisosa.

The former Oloi (Queen) incurred the wrath of the Oba following the controversial visit on March 6, 2026, of popular content creator and TikToker, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly called “Peller.”

The Benin Traditional Council claimed the visit was unauthorised, leading to the sanctioning of three persons, including the Queen, found complicit in what the palace described as a “mischievous act”. The BTC said the visit amounted to “a serious breach of protocol and desecration of the sacred precincts of the Palace”.

A statement by the BTC Tuesday March 17, 2026, signed by its Secretary, Frank Irabor, sealed the fate of the embattled Queen. 

It announced that “It is with deep regret that the Council confirms that a Queen of the Palace who was unfortunately featured in the incident is now facing serious disciplinary proceedings. 

"In accordance with Benin traditions and customs, these proceedings may inadvertently result in her removal from the Palace.”

Though the BTC is yet to make an official statement on her current status, palace sources hinted on Wednesday that she had since been asked to quit the Palace and directed her to drop all royal paraphernalia including her title, “queenewuare”, a development confirmed by her latest post on her social media handles.

She had in an earlier post under her royal title, tried spiritedly to defend herself, by attempting to prove that Peller’s visit was authorised, an action perceived by many as further worsening her case as she pointed accused the BTC of lying.

Sharing a letter bearing an acknowledgement stamp of the Benin Traditional Council, the embattled ex-queen stated that the controversy was beyond Peller’s visit, insisting that there were other issues happening behind closed doors far bigger than what the public was told.

She wrote: “Hello everyone, the issues at hand isn’t just because peller came to the palace’s or me gifting him, a lot has been happening behind close doors, the Benin traditional council lied that peller coming to the palace was unauthorized and I brought him to the palace, but I hope I will be able to convince you all that Peller coming to the palace was authorized, look at the stamp on this letter shows that it was approved by Benin traditional council, but they’re all lying on my head, but what I want you to know is that this isn’t the main problem because there are other issues way bigger than what you all thinks.”

Watchers of the unfolding royal drama however believed the ex-Queen goofed as mere acknowledgement of the receipt of Peller’s letter did not translate to automatic approval of the visit as also clarified by the BTC.

In a statement on Tuesday March 24, 2026, the palace poohpoohed the claims that the request for the visit was granted. 

The BTC secretary, Frank Irabor emphasised that the submission of a letter of request, and the mere stamping or acknowledgment of such a letter, did not constitute approval.  

The statement read: “The attention of the Benin Traditional Council has been drawn to recent public reactions following its press release 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 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.”

The BTC challenged Peller and his manager to state publicly whether any formal written approval was granted to them, adding, “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.”

Peller has however expressed his resolve not to honour the BTC’s invitation to explain himself and ruled out the possibility of sending any of his management team to represent him fearing that such a representative would be arrested and jailed.

In an earlier statement by his City Plug Management team following the furore his visit had caused, Peller admitted that “Ahead of the visit, the team was clearly informed that the Oba would not be available”, but added that “However, they were graciously welcomed to the palace, with arrangements made for them to be received by Uyiekpen Ogiefa and the palace chiefs, as well as guided through the palace while being educated on its history, culture, and traditions”.

Expressing remorse, the management team acknowledged that “there may have been misconceptions arising from the visit and sincerely apologize for any such misunderstandings. We appreciate the feedback and the continued support.”

Spokesman to Oba Ewuare II, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, could not be reached for his reaction to the new development.