The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from taking any administrative action against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited following its recent price hikes on DStv and GOtv packages.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Wednesday in an ex parte motion filed by MultiChoice's lawyer, Moyosore Onibanjo (SAN), in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/379/2025 against the FCCPC.
FCCPC's Concerns Over Price Hike
The FCCPC had summoned MultiChoice Nigeria's CEO for an investigative hearing on February 27, 2025, citing concerns over:
- Frequent price increases by the pay-TV operator
- Possible abuse of market dominance
- Anti-competitive practices in the industry
The regulatory body warned that failure to justify the price adjustment or comply with fair market principles could result in sanctions against MultiChoice.
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MultiChoice Challenges FCCPC's Authority
In its court filing, MultiChoice argued that Nigeria operates a free-market economy, where businesses have the right to set prices without government approval.
MultiChoice, through its lawyer Onibanjo, sought a court order restraining the FCCPC from:
- Sanctioning or penalizing the company over its price increase
- Issuing directives or taking actions that could disrupt its business operations
- Pursuing prosecution over the matter
Onibanjo contended that the FCCPC Act does not empower the Commission to regulate prices, adding that MultiChoice had notified customers about the price adjustment through a letter dated February 21, 2025. However, the FCCPC, in its February 27 directive, ordered MultiChoice to suspend the planned price increase.
Court Ruling and Next Steps
After reviewing the application, Justice Omotosho ruled that the FCCPC must halt any administrative actions against MultiChoice pending the determination of the case. The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing and fixed March 27, 2025, for further proceedings.
Details of MultiChoice's Price Adjustments
Despite the legal battle, MultiChoice proceeded with its price hike, which took effect on March 1, 2025. The new pricing structure includes:
- DStv Compact: ₦15,700 → ₦19,000 (25% increase)
- DStv Compact Plus: ₦25,000 → ₦30,000 (20% increase)
- DStv Premium: ₦37,000 → ₦44,500 (20% increase)
- GOtv Supa Plus: ₦15,700 → ₦16,800 (7% increase)
FCCPC's Legal Action Against MultiChoice
In response to the price hikes, the FCCPC filed a lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria at the Lagos High Court, alleging violations of regulatory directives and obstruction of an ongoing inquiry.
The outcome of the legal battle could set a significant precedent for pricing regulations in Nigeria's pay-TV industry and consumer protection measures in a free-market economy.
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