Court bars FCCPC from stopping MultiChoice’s subscription price hike
The Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order on Wednesday prohibiting the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from taking any administrative action against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited in response to recent price increases for its DStv and GOtv services.In an ex parte motion filed by MultiChoice's Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Moyosore J. Onigbanjo, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, issued an order prohibiting the FCCPC from taking any administrative action against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited.
As previously reported, the FCCPC summoned MultiChoice Nigeria to explain its recent DStv and GOtv subscription price increase.
The FCCPC had ordered MultiChoice Nigeria's CEO to appear for an investigative hearing on February 27, 2025, to address concerns about frequent price increases, potential market dominance abuse, and anti-competitive behaviour in the pay-TV sector.
The commission also warned that failure to justify the price change or follow fair market principles could result in regulatory sanctions.
MultiChoice's legal team, led by Onibanjo, filed an ex parte motion seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the FCCPC and its officers from prosecuting MultiChoice, as communicated in a letter dated March 3, 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.
"An order prohibiting the FCCPC and its officers from issuing any additional directives or taking any steps that could disrupt MultiChoice's business activities pending the hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.
"An order of interim injunction restraining the FCCPC, its agents, servants, or privies from sanctioning or penalizing MultiChoice (the applicant) in any manner whatsoever in relation to its price increase pending the hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction," MultiChoice filed.
Leave A Comment