By Andrew Onyejuruuwa, Lagos
Leveraging the recent signing the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act into Law by President Muhammadu Buhari, the leadership of ARCON said it has filed a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
ARCON, which is led by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, FCA, rpa, the Director-General of ARCON, said it is seeking a declaration among others that the continued publication, and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring the same is vetted, and approved by ARCON before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the Nigerian advertising regulator, Meta’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government. Consequently, ARCON is seeking N30 billion in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on its platforms.
“ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space,” the statement stated. The apex advertising regulating body said it is not regulating the online media space, instead, its focus is on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.