x

Federal Government Disbands Advertising Panel Over Controversial ‘All Eyes on the Judiciary’ Billboards

By Milcah  Tanimu

The Federal Government has taken the decision to dissolve the Secretariat of the Advertising Standard Panel due to its endorsement of billboards that have been accused of attempting to influence the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal with the slogan: ‘All Eyes on The Judiciary.’

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, conveyed the disbandment of the Panel.

The Advertising Standards Panel, a body within the Council, is responsible for ensuring that advertisements adhere to the laws of the Federation and the Code of Ethics for advertising professionals.

Explaining the reasons for the disapproval of the advertisement, Fadolapo stated:

“The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria has been made aware of the ‘All Eyes on the Judiciary’ advertisements displayed on various billboards across the country. These concepts were not granted approval by the Advertising Standards Panel. Consequently, the Council has instructed for the immediate removal of all displayed materials and the penalization of those responsible.

“The Council’s Advertising Standards Panel also erred in granting approval to one of the concepts as the advertisement did not adhere to the following guidelines:

1. The campaign’s central theme in the advertisement pertains to a matter that is currently pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. This renders it ‘jus pendis.’

2. According to the Nigerian legal system, matters under ‘jus pendis’ and awaiting judicial pronouncement are prohibited from being publicly discussed, debated, or advertised.

3. The advertisement has the potential to incite public unrest and disrupt public peace.

4. The advertisement is considered an act of blackmail against the Nigerian Judiciary, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, and specifically the Justices of the Tribunal who are obligated to execute their judicial duties impartially over matters that are currently ‘jus pendis.’

Fadolapo also stated that the Council has initiated a temporary suspension of its Director and Deputy Director responsible for Regulations while an investigation is conducted into the matter.

Acknowledging that certain advertisements did not receive approval from the Advertising Standards Panel, Fadolapo admitted an error in the approval process for one of the concepts. The advertisement did not meet the vetting guidelines.

The Director-General mentioned that the Council intends to establish a committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the “mistaken approval” of one of the advert’s concepts and the violation of the vetting guidelines.

“Consequently, the Director and Deputy Director, Regulations have also been suspended. The suspension is to enable an unprejudiced investigation of the issue. The Advertising Standards Panel Secretariat’s failure to diligently execute its responsibilities as the guardian of advertising, advertisement, and marketing communications has led to its dissolution,” he announced.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

NFF Donates N20M to Support Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for Parents’ Burial

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended a gesture...

Abiodun Rewards Falcons, Lionesses with N30m, Eyes More Sports Hosting in Ogun

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has reaffirmed his administration’s...

Tinubu, Shettima, Northern Governors Mourn the Passing of Prof. Jibril Aminu at 85

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and...

Tinubu Hails Dangote Refinery as “Phenomenon of Our Time,” Commissions Lekki Port Access Road

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Dangote Petroleum...

MBF opposes interception of 164,000 live shotgun cartridges in Anambra, says possession not illegal

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Nigeria’s indigenous Middle Belt Forum (MBF),...

N4.6bn: Kaduna ALGON threatens Wakili with court action over false accusations

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Kaduna State chapter of the...

CDS at North Central Peace Summit urges border fencing to curb insecurity

By Israel Adamu, Jos Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General...

Sokoto Police finalize security arrangements for Eid Kabir celebration

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto State Police Command has...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img