Court fines MultiChoice, orders one-month free subscriptions to DStv, GOtv subscribers

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has fined prominent Pay-TV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, N150 million for challenging the jurisdiction of a court sitting in Abuja that recently restrained it from increasing the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages.

The verdict delivered by three of the panel led by Thomas Okosu on Friday also ordered Multichoice to give Nigerians a one-month free subscription on DStv and GOtv.

The rulings were delivered on Friday, 7th June, by a three-man panel led by Justice Thomas Okosu.

In April 2024, the CCPT sitting in Abuja, following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, who served as the counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade, had ordered Multichoice Nigeria to refrain from increasing its tariffs and costs of services that the company was set to begin on May 1 2024.

The order, given by a three-member panel headed by Saratu Shafii, said, “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained 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.”

However, Multichoice increased its service charge despite the court order, arguing that Onifade lacks the jurisdiction to regulate the prices of goods and services as he is not the President of Nigeria.