Following widespread reports connecting the apex advertising regulatory agency to a purported drug suspect, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON has announced that upon investigations by the agency, the suspect is not a member of the regulatory body.

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In a statement signed by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, the Director General of the apex advertising regulatory body, refuting the allegation that Aribiyi Ahmed Olaseinde who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to export 14.4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in lace and Ankara fabrics to Saudi Arabia is a member of the advertising body, the regulatory agency, while dissociating itself from the accused, reaffirmed that the advertising profession remains committed to maintaining high ethical and moral standards in accordance with law.

It reads: “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, in line with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No 23 of 2022.

Recall that Ariyibi was intercepted on Thursday, April 20, at the screening point of MMIA Terminal 2 during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers travelling from Lagos via Doha to Medina, Saudi Arabia.

According to Femi Babafemi, the spokeman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the suspect who was discovered with Cocaine weighing 11.50kgs, claimed he is widower and an advertising practitioner.