The Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, has announced the disbandment of the Secretariat of the Advertising Standard Panel by Federal Government, due to its endorsement of billboards accused of attempting to manipulate the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal with the slogan: ‘All Eyes on The Judiciary.’

Fadolapo made this known on Tuesday, Pointing out the reasons why the advertisement should not have been approved.

“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 Standərds Panel, hence, the Council has directed that all the materials being exposed be brought down immediately and the violators sanctioned.

He further stated that the Council temporarily suspended its Director and Deputy Director which is responsible for Regulations, pending an investigation into the matter.

While acknowledging that some advertisements did not receive ASP’s approval, Fadolapo acknowledged an error in the approval process for one of the concepts. The advertisement failed to meet vetting guidelines.

The ARCON DG said the Council would set up a committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the “erroneous approval” of one of the concepts of the advert and the breach of the vetting guidelines.

Access24 reports that ASP, a Statutory Panel within the Council, is tasked with ensuring that advertisements adhere to the prevailing laws of the Federation and the Code of Ethics for advertising professionals.