Federal High Court Intervenes: N60bn Fine Against Facebook Restrained
The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an interim order restraining the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, formerly known as the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, or its agents from demanding N60bn from Facebook Nigeria Operations Limited for an alleged violation.
Justice Yellim Bogoro made the order on December 12, 2024, in suit FHC/L/CS/2205/2024, motion ex-parte application filed by Facebook through its counsel, Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo (SAN), of Tayo Oyetibo LP.
The judge, upon reading the affidavit in support of the motion ex parte sworn to by Folasade Dada, and after hearing Tayo-Oyetibo with Jessica Adeola-Ajayi, granted the application.
Justice Bogoro held: “I have considered the ex parte application made, the reliefs sought particularly relief number two of the ex parte application, the affidavit in support, the facts deposed thereto in the affidavit. I find merit in the application. I shall grant the reliefs in part. I make this order.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: That an interim order of injunction is hereby made pending the determination of the Motion on Notice herein filed for interlocutory injunction restraining the defendant whether by itself or through its officers, agents, servants and any other person acting under its authority from enforcing or further enforcing in any manner whatsoever the notice of violation/demand for compliance dated 21 October 2024 issued by the defendant to the applicant. I strongly feel the second relief sought is subsumed in the first relief.
“That this suit is hereby adjourned to the 20th day of February 2025 for hearing of Motion on Notice. Hearing Notice be served on the Defendant.”
