Tribunal Issues Bench Warrant On Aero Contractors’ MD

The Advertising Offences Tribunal (AOT) has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the managing director, Aero Contractor Company of Nigeria, Captain Ado Sanusi.

The bench warrant was because the airline boss failed to appear before the tribunal in an ongoing case concerning alleged violations of Nigerian advertising laws.

LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) had filed a 22-count charge against Captain Sanusi and Aero Contractors, accusing them of exposing advertisements targeted at the Nigerian market without obtaining the necessary approval from the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP).

The council said the airline’s boss action contravenes the act that established the Nigerian advertising regulations.

The case was initially scheduled for hearing on February 26, 2025 but during the proceedings, Captain Sanusi was absent, prompting his legal representatives to assure the tribunal of his presence at the next hearing while also pleading for leniency.

Despite these assurances, the defendant failed to appear on the adjourned date.

Given Captain Sanusi’s continued absence, the Advertising Offences Tribunal, in line with its mandate to enforce compliance with advertising regulations, issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The tribunal has ordered that he be presented at its next sitting, scheduled for May 8, 2025.

Further updates on the case are expected following the tribunal’s next session in May.