FG Dissolves Advertising Standard Panel Over Billboards, All Eyes On Judiciary

The Secretariat of the Advertising Standard Panel (ASP) has been disbanded by the federal government.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), stated the decision came after billboards with the slogan “All Eyes on The Judiciary” were approved.

The ASP Director and the Deputy Director in charge of Regulations, according to Fadolapo, have both been suspended by the Council.

The ASP is the Statutory Panel operating under the Council, and it has the responsibility of verifying that all advertisements comply with both the Federation’s current regulations and the Code of Advertising Ethics of the advertising profession.

“All Eyes on the Judiciary” advertisements that have been seen on certain billboards across the nation have caught the notice of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), according to the statement.

“The Advertising Standards Panel of the Council also erred in approving one of the concepts as the advertising did not pass muster with regard to the following criteria:

“The topic that is currently being litigated before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal serves as the campaign’s main theme. Thus, it is jus pendis.

The Nigerian legal system prohibits an issue from being the topic of a public speech, debate, discussion, advertisement, etc. while it is jus pendis and awaiting judicial declaration.

“The advertisement is contentious and has the potential to spark public disturbance and a violation of public peace.

The advertisement is regarded as blackmail against the Nigerian judicial system, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, and in particular the honourable justices of the tribunal who are supposed to carry out their judicial duties impartially and without fear or favour in relation to a case that is currently jus pendis.

“As a result, the Director and Deputy Director, as well as the Regulations, have been suspended. The suspension will make it possible for an unbiased investigation of the problem.

The secretariat of the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) is disbanded for failing to actively carry out its role as the guardian of advertising, advertisement, and marketing communications.