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The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria has filed a suit in the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of the Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by ARCON, the apex regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem, the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market by Meta Platforms Incorporated through Facebook and Instagram platforms without ensuring the same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful, and a violation of the existing advertising Law in Nigeria.

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.

The statement read in part, “ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.”

The Council, according to ARCON, does not regulate the online media space. Rather, in accordance with its establishment Act, it focuses on advertising and marketing communications on online platforms.