LIVE UPDATES
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has expressed its approval of the Federal High Court’s decision affirming its power to investigate alleged unfair practices by MultiChoice Nigeria.
MultiChoice had initiated legal proceedings to prevent the FCCPC from examining its recent hikes in prices for DStv and GOtv services.
In a statement released in Abuja, Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, quoted the FCCPC's Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, who characterized the ruling as a triumph for the rule of law.
Bello remarked that the judgment represented a crucial advancement in thwarting procedural strategies aimed at hindering lawful regulatory scrutiny.
“It sends a clear message that regulatory bodies will not be impeded by procedural barriers when fulfilling their legitimate responsibilities to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the market,” Bello stated.
He assured Nigerian consumers of the commission’s dedication to examining and tackling exploitative pricing and other anti-consumer actions in accordance with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
The Commission pointed out that MultiChoice disregarded its invitation in February and proceeded with another increase in subscription rates, merely eight months following a previous hike.
Instead of addressing the FCCPC’s inquiries, MultiChoice opted to file a legal motion to prevent the commission from investigating the reasons behind its frequent price variations.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court rejected the suit, deeming it an abuse of court process. The ruling followed complaints from MultiChoice’s counsel, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/379/2025, regarding the FCCPC's ongoing issuance of letters threatening sanctions despite the ongoing litigation.
