The federal government of Nigeria, through the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), has sued Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited.
This is coming a year after Nigeria had suspended the operations of the micro-blogging site, Twitter in Nigeria for deleting the tweets of the president.
Although Nigeria has since lifted the ban, it was not until after many months as well as after the country reached some agreements with the tech company.
READ ALSO: 100 Days After, Nigeria Loses N247.61bn Over Ban On Twitter
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government said it sued Meta over illegal ads on the Nigerian advertising space.
It is also demanding N30 billion as penalties against the tech platform.
A statement by Nigeria’s apex advertising agency, on Tuesday, noted that it sued Meta because all the advertisements that Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp places in the Nigerian ad spaces are not vetted and approved by it.
The statement was titled “ARCON sues Meta platforms incorporated, seeks N30b in sanction and penalties.”
Consequently, Nigeria has filed a lawsuit against Meta at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, claiming damages of N30 billion as it said Meta adverts violated the extant advertising Laws in Nigeria.
Nigeria also said Meta’s continued ads which are not vetted by the government led to loss of revenue to the
Nigeria.
The statement reads thus:
“The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has instituted a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
“ARCON is seeking declaration among others that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.
“ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts has also led to a loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
“ARCON is seeking N30b 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 its platforms.
“ARCON reiterate that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.
“ARCON further stated that it’s not regulating the online media space but rather advertisement, advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.”
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