The Federal Government’s heavy hammer fell on the Advertising Standard Panel over its endorsement of billboards with ‘All Eyes on The Judiciary’, which is perceived not to be in compliance with advertising ethics.

The ASP, a Statutory Panel within Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), is tasked with ensuring that advertisements adhered to the prevailing laws of the federation and the Code of Ethics for advertising professionals.

Already, a Director and Deputy Director have been suspended over the advertisement.

Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, who disclosed this on Tuesday, confirmed that the council has suspended its Director and Deputy Director responsible for Regulations, pending an investigation into the matter.

The ARCON boss stated: “The attention of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria has been drawn to the ‘All Eyes on the Judiciary’ advertisements exposed on some billboards across the country.

“The concepts exposed were not approved by the Advertising Standards Panel, hence, the Council has directed that all the materials being exposed be brought down immediately and the violators sanctioned.

“The Advertising Standards Panel of the Council also erred in the approval of one of the concepts as the advertisement failed to vet guidelines on the following grounds:

“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.

“A 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, advertisement, etc.

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

“The advertisement is considered blackmail against the Nigerian Judiciary, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, and particularly the Honourable Justices