Nigerian govt sets up court to tackle fraud, advertising offences

The Nigerian government has established a special tribunal to address matters related to advertisements in the country, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris announced on Tuesday. Idris emphasized that the era of advertisers refusing to pay for placed ads is coming to an end, stating that this is a significant step in strengthening Nigeria's advertising and marketing communications industry.

The government recognizes that advertising is not merely about promoting products and services, but also a powerful tool for communication that can contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation, and investment. The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022, which replaced the Advertising Practitioners (Registration, Etc.) Act, expanded the council's mandate and powers, including the authority to prosecute offenses within the advertising ecosystem.

The establishment of the Advertising Offences Tribunal reflects a commitment to addressing these offenses through a specialized mechanism capable of delivering justice efficiently, fairly, and without unnecessary delay. The new panel of the tribunal, which includes individuals with experience in various fields such as judiciary, legal practice, advertising, broadcasting, and marketing communications, was appointed in accordance with the law.

The Minister urged the tribunal members to conduct themselves with integrity, independence, fairness, and professionalism, ensuring the tribunal is seen as a fair and impartial institution.