May 04, (THEWILL) – The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has dragged Meta Platforms Incorporated, the parent company of popular social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, for violation of the extant advertising laws of Nigeria.
ARCON claimed that Meta violated the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022, by publishing various advertisements targeting the Nigerian market without proper vetting and approval.
The Council is seeking N30 billion in damages from Meta and its agent, AT3 Resources Limited, for the alleged breach of advertisement regulations.
ARCON is also 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.
The Court, on Wednesday, granted approval for the case to proceed, naming Meta and AT3 Resources Limited as the first and second defendants, respectively.
The writ of summons is expected to be served on Meta at its corporate headquarters.
