At the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria claims to have filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Incorporated, the company that owns the platforms for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and its representative AT3 Resources Limited.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the leading regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem, ARCON is requesting a declaration that, among other things, Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms without first ensuring that they are vetted and approved is illegal, unlawful, and a violation of the country’s current advertising laws.
ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
ARCON is seeking N30bn 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 it’s platforms.
Among other things, the statement said:
“ARCON reiterates that it would not condone unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigerian advertising space.”
The Council is not controlling the internet media landscape, claims ARCON. Instead, it concentrates on advertising and marketing communications on online platforms in accordance with the Act that established it.