The Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order on Wednesday, restraining the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from taking any administrative actions against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited concerning the 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 restraining the FCCPC from taking any administrative steps against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited.
Recall the FCCPC had earlier summoned MultiChoice Nigeria to explain its recent subscription price increase for DStv and GOtv.
The FCCPC had ordered MultiChoice Nigeria’s CEO to appear for an investigative hearing on February 27, 2025, to address concerns over frequent price increases, potential market dominance abuse, and anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV sector.
The commission also warned that failure to justify the price adjustment or adhere to fair market principles could result in regulatory sanctions.
In the ex parte motion filed by MultiChoice’s legal team, led by Onibanjo, the pay-TV company sought an order of interim injunction restraining the FCCPC and its officers from carrying out the threatened prosecution of MultiChoice, as communicated via a letter dated March 3, 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.
“An order restraining the FCCPC and its officers from issuing any further directive or taking any steps capable of disrupting the business activities of MultiChoice 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 stated.
