‘All Eyes on Judiciary’ March Begins August 28

Segun James

As Nigerians await the verdicts of the various election petition tribunals across the federation, some concerned citizens have concluded plans for a one-million-man march across some cities in the country on the need for judges handling election cases to be above board.

The One-Million-Man-March, with its motto as ‘let us take naija back’, will hold on August 28 in Lagos; Delta, 30th August; Edo, 30th August; Port Harcourt, September 1; and Anambra, September 1.

According to the group, “The march will hold across the nation in solidarity and support for the judiciary; for them to uphold justice in Nigeria at the ongoing election petition tribunals.”

Recall that last week, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) had ordered the removal of “#All Eyes on the Judiciary” advertisement billboards across Nigeria with immediate effect.

ARCON Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo in a statement said that all the materials being exposed be brought down immediately and the violators sanctioned.

He said that the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) of the Council also erred in the approval of one of the concepts.

According to Fadolapo, the said advertisement failed vetting guidelines on some grounds.

“The cause forming the central theme of the campaign in the advertisement is a matter pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), hence it’s jus pendis,” he added.

“A matter being jus pendis and awaiting judicial pronouncement is, by virtue of the Nigerian legal system, precluded from being a subject of public statement, debate, discussion, advertisement etc.

“The advertisement is controversial and capable of instigating public unrest and breach of public peace.”

Fadolapo said that the advertisement was considered blackmail against the Nigerian judiciary, the PEPT and particularly the justices of the tribunal who are expected to discharge their judicial functions without fear or favour over a matter that is currently jus pendis.

He also dissolved the ASP Secretariat for failing to diligently exercise its function as the gatekeeper of advertising, advertisement and marketing communications in approving the advert.

“Consequently, the director and Deputy Director, Regulations have also been suspended. The suspension is to enable unprejudiced investigation of the issue,” he said.