ARCON dissolves Advertising Standards Panel over ‘all eyes on the judiciary’ advert

…suspends regulations director, deputy

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has dissolved the Advertising Standards Panel over its approval of the “all eyes on the judiciary” advert.

This was contained in a statement by ARCON Director General Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo.

The advert billboards were seen across the country on Monday.

Fadolapo in the statement, said the  “advertisement failed vetting guidelines”.

He said, “The cause forming the central theme of the campaign in the advertisement is a matter pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. Hence, it’s jus pendis.

“Matter being jus pendis and awaiting judicial pronouncement is, by virtue of the Nigerian legal system, precluded from being a subject of public statement, debate, discussion, advertisementetc.

“The advertisement is controversial and capable of instigating public unrest and breach of public peace.

“The advertisement is considered a blackmail against the Nigerian Judiciary, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and particularly the Honourable Justices of the Tribunal who are expected to discharge their judicial functions without fear or favour over a matter that is currently jus pendis.

“The Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) Secretariat failing to diligently exercise its function as the gatekeeper of advertising, advertisement and marketing communications is hereby dissolved.

“The council will set up a committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the erroneous approval of one of the concepts of the inappropriate advert and the breach of the vetting guidelines.

Consequently, the Director and Deputy Director, Regulations have also been suspended. The suspension is to enable prejudiced investigation of the issue,”the statement read.