The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to prosecute popular TikTok content creator Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, following a road crash that occurred while he was allegedly live streaming behind the wheel.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Corps said a video showing Peller using his phone and live streaming while driving circulated widely online, describing the act as dangerous and unlawful. The FRSC stressed that using a phone while driving endangers lives and undermines efforts to improve road safety.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the incident serves as a reminder that fame does not place anyone above the law. According to him, the Lagos State Sector Commander has been directed to immediately commence prosecution.
“The charges will include reckless driving, use of phone while driving, and distracted driving, in line with extant traffic laws,” Mohammed said.
The FRSC also urged entertainers, influencers and content creators to use their platforms responsibly by promoting safe driving habits. The agency warned that it “will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against any individual, celebrity or otherwise, found engaging in distracted or reckless driving.”
Peller was hospitalised after crashing his newly acquired Mercedes-Benz on Sunday along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos. Videos that surfaced online showed him appearing emotional and distressed during a livestream shortly before the accident. In the footage, he spoke about personal issues relating to his relationship with his partner, Jarvis, and expressed fear, at one point suggesting he might harm himself.
Moments later, the vehicle collided with a barrier, sustaining visible damage. Passersby reportedly assisted him before he was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, Jarvis, whose real name is Amadou Elizabeth Aminata, addressed the situation publicly. She said she had done her best and questioned why she was being blamed for the crash, insisting that the public already knows the truth and asking what more she could have done.
