The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja on Monday issued an interim injunction retraining Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited from raising its tariffs and the costs of its product packages, scheduled to start on 1st May.
VANGUARD reports that, in response to an ex parte motion moved by the appellant Festus Onifade’s lawyer, Ejiro Awaritoma, a three-member tribunal headed by Saratu Shafii granted provisional order.
In its ruling, the tribunal prohibited Multi-Choice from implementing the planned price hike scheduled to start on May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.
“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,” Shafii declared.
Thus, she directed all involved parties to attend a hearing on May 7 at 10 a.m. for the determination of the motion on notice.
The suit, designated as CCPT/OP/2/2024, was filed by Onifade against Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
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In the suit filed on April 29, Onifade, also a legal practitioner, sought two orders.
These include, “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“An order restraining the 1st defendant 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.”
Other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.
Recall that Multichoice had on April 1, 2022, raised the prices of all its packages.
