ARCON Distances Self from Drug Suspect Caught at Lagos Airport
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has distanced itself from one Arabiyi Ahmed Olaseinde caught by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 14.4 grams of cocaine; saying the suspect is not an advertising practitioner.
ARCON revealed this in a statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo on Saturday.
The DG said the suspect’s name could not be traced to any advertising company or to the profession.
The statement read, “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 Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, for attempting to export 14.4 grams of cocaine concealed in lace and Ankara fabrics to Saudi Arabia.
“We wish to state that the said Aribiyi Ahmed Olaseinde is not an advertising practitioner as claimed, and that no such name is on our record of Registered Advertising Practitioners in Nigeria.
“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 recognised as Advertising Practitioners in Nigeria.
“We wish to categorically state that ARCON remains committed to ensuring that the advertising ecosystem is sanitised, and shall not shy away from pursuing all lawful means, including causing the prosecution of violators at the Act and the Code of Advertising Practice in Nigeria when a violation occurs, in line with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act 23 of 2022.”
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