…Urges Members to Disregard Claim 

Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, DG, ARCON

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has disclosed that a story  published by some news platforms, alleging that a member  of the advertising profession was arrested for drug trafficking is untrue,  stating that it has checked its record and confirmed that the suspect named Arlbiyi Ahmed Olaseinde does not exist in its record of Registered Advertising Practitioners in Nigeria.

It, therefore, urged members of the public and stakeholders to disregard such story, adding that only those registered according to the provisions of the law are entitled to practice Advertising and to be recognized as Advertising Practitioners in the country.

In a statement signed by ARCON Director-General,  Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo and made available to Brand Times, the Council stated that  “The attention of the Advertising Regulatory CounCil of Nigeria (ARCON) has been drawn  to a story  published by some news platforms, alleging that a member  of the advertising  profession was arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for attempting to export 14.4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in lace and Ankara fabrics to Saudi Arabia.

“We wish to state that the said Arlbiyi Ahmed Olaseinde is not an advertising practitioner as claimed, and that, no such name is on record of Registered Advertising Practitioners in Nigeria.”

It urged members to disregard the  story,

“Members of the public and stakeholders in the Advertising and Marketing Communications Industry are hereby advised to disregard the alleged claim by the said drug suspect as no member of the Advertising Profession goes by that name in our register of practitioners.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Advertising is a noble profession in Nigeria, a status conferred on it by law. Only persons who are duly qualified and registered according to the provisions of the law are entitled to practice Advertising and to be recognized as Advertising Practitioners in Nigeria.

“We wish to categorically state that, ARCON remains committed to ensuring that the advertising ecosystem is sanitized, and shall not shy away from pursuing all lawful means, including causing the prosecution of violators of the Act, and the Code of Advertising Practice in Nigeria when a violation occurs, !n line with the Advertising Regulatory Council Of Nigeria Act No 23 of 2022.”