FG inaugurates new Advertising Offences Tribunal panel

…reappoints Justice Olatoregun as Chairman

By Precious Mark

The Federal Government has inaugurated a newly constituted panel for the Advertising Offences Tribunal, reappointing retired Federal High Court judge, Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, as Chairman to serve a new three-year term.

Inaugurating the panel on Tuesday at Radio House in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that the tribunal was established under Section 37(1) of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act No. 23 of 2022 to adjudicate violations of advertising codes, standards of practice, and related regulations.

The Minister explained that the inauguration followed the expiration of the inaugural panel’s three-year tenure in May 2026.

He noted that the tribunal provides a specialized mechanism to enforce compliance, protect consumers, ensure fair competition, and maintain professional integrity across Nigeria’s marketing communications industry.

“The Federal Government recognizes that advertising is far more than the promotion of products and services; it is a powerful instrument of communication.”

“The establishment of the tribunal reflects a clear legislative intention: that offenses within the advertising ecosystem should be addressed through a specialized mechanism capable of delivering justice efficiently, fairly, and without unnecessary delay,” he said.

Justice Olatoregun, a Judge Emeritus who served on the Federal High Court bench from July 2000 to November 2019 and possesses over four decades of post-call experience, was first appointed to head the tribunal as its inaugural Chairman in May 2023.

The newly inaugurated panel comprises distinguished professionals spanning law, arbitration, marketing communications, broadcasting, and public service.

Joining the chairman on the panel are Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musa Ahmed Attah, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) with over 15 years of litigation experience, and Merga Tyowanan Kachina, Esq., a seasoned legal practitioner and former Benue State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment.

Also on the panel are Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, frpa, a Fellow of ARCON and former Group CEO of Insight Redefini Group with over 40 years of advertising experience, and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, rpa, a veteran broadcaster, former Deutsche Welle producer, and former Chairman of the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON).

Charging the panel to maintain independence and ethical standards, Idris urged the members to consider every matter on its merits without fear or favor.

“Every matter that comes before you should be considered on its merits, without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” the minister charged.”

“The tribunal must be, and must be seen to be, a fair and impartial institution,” he added.