Court halts Multichoice Nigeria’s tariff increase on DStv, GOtv

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has issued a restraining order against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, preventing the company from implementing its planned tariff increase and adjustments to the cost of products and services scheduled to commence on May 1.

Presiding over the three-member tribunal, Saratu Shafii, granted the interim order on Monday, in response to an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, legal counsel representing the applicant, Festus Onifade.

In her ruling, Shafii directed MultiChoice to refrain from proceeding with the impending price hike set to take effect from May 1 until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the tribunal.

Also, she mandated all involved parties to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10 a.m. for further proceedings regarding the motion on notice.

The petitioner, Festus Onifade, filed a lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), seeking two specific orders.

These orders include an interim injunction restraining MultiChoice from implementing the impending price increase and any actions that could negatively impact the rights of the claimant and other consumers, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd had previously raised the prices of all its packages on April 1, 2022, prompting legal action from concerned parties.