The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has issued a significant interim order restraining Multichoice Nigeria Limited from implementing its planned tariff increases and cost adjustments for products and services set to start on May 1st. Presided over by Saratu Shafii, the three-member court acted upon an ex parte motion submitted by Ejiro Awaritoma, the legal representative for Festus Onifade, the plaintiff in this case.
The court’s ruling effectively blocks Multi-Choice from moving forward with its scheduled price hikes, which were slated to take effect from May 1, pending further hearing and the determination of the motion on notice filed before the court. Ms. Shafii, in her statement, emphasised the need to protect the rights of the plaintiff and other consumers affected by these impending changes.
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Lawsuit Against Multi-Choice Before The Tribunal
In response to the ongoing legal battle, Judge Shafii has instructed all involved parties to convene on May 7 at 10 a.m. for the formal hearing and final determination of the pending motion on notice. This step underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring fair and just outcomes, mainly concerning matters that impact consumer rights and market practices.
The lawsuit initiated by Mr Onifade, labelled CCPT/OP/2/2024, targets both Multichoice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the Tribunal. Filed on April 29, Mr. Onifade, a practising lawyer, is seeking specific legal orders to address the impending price adjustments.
Among the sought-after orders is “an interim injunction order from this honourable court restraining the first respondent, whether by itself, its subsidiaries, or any related entities, from proceeding with the impending price increase schedule that will come into effect on May 1, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.” This legal manoeuvre aims to halt Multi-Choice’s planned actions until the court fully deliberates on the matter and reaches a conclusive decision.
By issuing these interim measures and scheduling a prompt hearing, the CCPT is fulfilling its mandate to protect consumer interests and uphold fair market practices. These legal proceedings are crucial not only for the immediate stakeholders but also for setting precedents that can guide similar cases in the future, ensuring transparency and accountability in business dealings within Nigeria’s competitive landscape.
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Multichoice Nigeria hikes Dstv Gotv subscription fee
Meanwhile, Multichoice Nigeria has announced earlier the price hike for its DStv and GOtv plans, this time by a minimum of 25%. This marks the third price adjustment since the previous year, with the initial change occurring on May 1, 2023. Multichoice has specified that the latest increase will commence on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Whereas last year’s increase varied between 19% and 20% based on the package, the company is now announcing a 25% to 26% increase across all its offerings.