FG Drags Meta, Owner Of Facebook To Court, Demands N30billion In Fines

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), has been granted leave to serve a writ of summons on Meta Platform, social media giant, and owners of Facebook for violating the laws of the country.

ARCON is seeking a declaration that the publication of various advertisements and marketing communications materials targeted at Nigeria through Meta’s platforms without prior vetting and approval by the Advertising Standards Panel is illegal.

The regulatory body also claimed that the act disregarded Nigerian culture, constitutional tenets, moral values, and religious sensitivity of citizens.

ARCON is, therefore, seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their privies, agents, servants, and associates from publishing any advertising or marketing communications materials without recourse to ARCON in line with the country’s advertising law.

It is also seeking N30 billion in fines and sanctions for the continued violations and infractions of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted the nod under an application by ARCON in the N30 billion suit against the social media giant.