A Federal High Court in Lagos has postponed its ruling on the case brought by Facebook Nigeria Operations Limited (FNOL) against a N60 billion fine imposed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). The judgement is now scheduled for May 14, 2026, after Justice Yelim Bogoro made the adjournment during a session on the matter. This fine stems from allegations that FNOL published ads targeted at Nigerian users without prior approval from the Advertising Standards Panel, violating the recently established ARCON Act 2022.

The trigger for the fine was a notice issued by the ARCON on October 21, 2024, which accused FNOL of repeatedly breaching relevant sections of the law by not obtaining the necessary permissions for advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. In response, FNOL filed a suit seeking to overturn the fine and prevent ARCON from imposing further sanctions in the future. The company’s argument centers on its claim that it does not directly control the ads published on its platforms, seeking to challenge the authority of ARCON in this matter.

As the ruling date approaches, the case highlights ongoing tensions between tech companies and regulatory bodies in Nigeria, particularly concerning advertising standards and compliance. This situation not only bears consequences for FNOL but could also impact how digital advertising is regulated in Nigeria, setting a precedent for future interactions between local regulatory agencies and foreign technology firms that operate within the country.