Tribunal Fines MultiChoice N150m, Orders 1-Month free DSTV, GOVT Subscriptions

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has fined the prominent Pay-TV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, owners of DSTV, GOTV, ₦150 million for disputing the court’s jurisdiction, and ordered the company to provide Nigerians with a one-month free subscription to its subscribers.

The tribunal, in a unanimous decision by its three-member panel, equally ordered MultiChoice to provide Nigerians with a one-month free subscription on its DSTV and GOTV services.

The Saratu Shafii-led tribunal made the orders following an ex-parte motion that was filed on behalf of MultiChoice subscribers by a legal practitioner, Mr Festus Onifade. The tribunal subsequently fixed July 3 to hear the substantive action that was instituted against the company.

It will be recalled that the panel had on April 29, restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from going ahead with its plans to increase tariffs and cost of its products and services, on May 1. Onifade had approached the tribunal, alleging that an eighth-day notice the respondent gave before hiking prices of its services, was grossly inadequate.

He contended that the tribunal had in its previous rulings, stressed that at least one month notice must be given to subscribers before such increase in prices of both DSTV and GOTV services could be effected.

Specifically, the Applicant, in the motion that was moved by his counsel, Ejiro Awaritoma, applied for, “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatever name called, from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

As well as, “An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

Cited as defendants in the suit marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024, were MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC #Tribunal Fines MultiChoice N150m, Orders 1-Month free DSTV, GOVT Subscriptions Naira Steadies as Banks Issue Update on FX Purchase
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