Lawyers Drag APCON To Court Over Internet Adverts Regulation

LAGOS SEPTEMBER 19TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Incorporated Trustees of Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative has sued the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria over the latter’s planned regulation of Internet advertisements.
In a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos by two lawyers, Solomon Okedara and Olumide Babalola, DRLI is seeking a court declaration that APCON lacks the power to vet and charge fees on Internet-based advisement posted by non-advertising practitioners.
The lawyers are contending that going by the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of APCON vs Registered Trustees of International Covenant Ministerial Council and others, “the respondent (APCON) does not have powers to vet and or charge fees on Internet-based advertisements made by non-advertising practitioners.”
They pray the court to perpetually restrain APCON and its agents from further vetting and charging fees on online and social media advertisements made by non-advertising practitioners as it violates their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and the press.
In an 11-paragraph supporting affidavit, one Sunkanmi Bello explained that DRLI is a non-governmental organisation, which advertises its activities, events and achievements on its website, www.drlawyers.com
Bello said the NGO also uses Internet-based social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, to disseminate information about itself.
He said sometime in September, APCON sent out notices to the public of its decision to start vetting and charging fees on Internet-based advertisements made in Nigeria by members of the public.
Bello said DRLI received a letter from APCON stating that the group would be charged N25,000 on Internet-based advertisements.
“I believe that the applicant (DRLI) and its members are not subject to the respondent’s regulatory powers and such vetting of Internet-based advertisement will interfere with the applicant’s constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of expression and the press,” Bello said.

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