Intercontinental Marketing & Communication Consortium Limited has issued an apology to the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) regarding the ‘All Eyes On the Judiciary’ billboards,Thecable reports.
On August 15, ARCON ordered the removal of several billboards across the country featuring this slogan. Additionally, ARCON disbanded the Advertising Standards Panel for granting approval to billboards that were “targeted at the presidential election petition tribunal.”
In response to these actions, Olalekan Fadolapo, the director-general of ARCON, stated that the advertisement did not adhere to vetting guidelines and had the potential to disrupt public peace.
According to a report by Punch, the marketing agency conveyed its response to the violation letter through Stephen Ogboko, its managing director.
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“We sincerely apologize for this and state that our action was not intentional,” Ogboko was quoted as saying.
“The truth is that immediately after we received the brief for the said campaign, we sent the artwork to Mr. Markus Inji Lukman, an ARCON liaison officer who has helped us vet campaign materials in the past.
“Mr. Lukman assured us that the material would be approved, as he had seen a similar one.”
Ogboko emphasized that the company would never engage in activities that could pose a threat to the nation’s judiciary.
In response, Fadolapo stated that despite the apology, the company would still face the tribunal.
“They’ll be appearing before the Advertising Offences Tribunal and need to explain their position because it is very unfortunate,” he said.
“Verbal or communication of approval through verbal means or text messages doesn’t constitute approval.
“They are professionals; they are sworn to the advertising oath to protect the integrity of the profession.
“So, coming out to say that somebody within the system orally or verbally gave them approval is not acceptable.
“The damage is done already, and they will be appearing before the tribunal.”
Fadolapo also mentioned that the official who allegedly gave verbal approval had been queried.
