Find out more as court reserves judgment in MultiChoice, FCCPC price hike dispute

• Multichoice and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) are successful court
• The lawsuit is implicit Multichoice's caller determination to instrumentality caller DStv and GOtv subscription interest hikes
• FCCPC had ealier asked the payTV institution not to spell up with the terms hike, but Miltichoice says it does not necessitate regulatory support

Legit.ng writer Dave Ibemere has implicit a decennary of concern journalism acquisition with in-depth cognition of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and wide marketplace trends.

The Federal High Court successful Abuja has scheduled May 8, 2025, for its judgement successful the ineligible conflict betwixt MultiChoice Nigeria and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) concerning recent subscription interest hikes for DStv and GOtv services.

Multichoice, FCCPC are successful tribunal implicit terms hike Photo credit: Nurphoto
Source: Getty Images

Justice James Omotosho fixed the day aft proceeding arguments from some parties connected the FCCPC's authorization to modulate MultiChoice's pricing decisions.

MultiChoice's ineligible team, led by elder advocator N.J. Onigbanjo, argued that nether Nigeria's free-market economy, work providers similar MultiChoice are not required to question regulatory support earlier adjusting prices.

Onigbanjo contended that the FCCPC Act does not assistance the committee authorization to modulate prices, asserting that lone the President of Nigeria holds specified power.

Court proceedings implicit DStv/GOtv terms hike

The tribunal heard that MultiChoice had notified the FCCPC of its planned terms summation successful a missive dated February 21, 2025.

However, contempt this communication, the FCCPC ordered MultiChoice to suspend the terms accommodation connected February 27, prompting MultiChoice to record a suit connected March 3 challenging the directive.

Court adjourns Multichoice, FCCPC terms hike case Photo credit: nurphoto
Source: Getty Images

In effect to MultiChoice's actions, FCCPC's counsel, Prof. J.E. Agbugu, SAN, defended the commission's stance, citing Sections 17(e) and 17(f) of the FCCPC Act, which empower it to analyse terms increases and support consumers from unfair practices.

Agbugu clarified that portion the FCCPC does not hole prices, it has the statutory authorization to scrutinize terms hikes to forestall exploitation.

During the proceedings, the tribunal allowed the FCCPC to regularize its counter-affidavit and dismissed an interlocutory injunction antecedently sought by MultiChoice arsenic outdated. Justice Omotosho besides questioned the imaginable imposition of terms controls successful a free-market system to safeguard consumers, a constituent Onigbanjo countered by reaffirming that lone statesmanlike directives could found terms ceilings, which were not issued successful this case.

The tribunal reserved its judgement until May 8, 2025, amid ongoing disputes implicit the legality of MultiChoice's terms adjustments and the FCCPC's regulatory jurisdiction, Punch reports.

Multichoice increases DSTV prices

In a erstwhile study by Legit.ng, MultiChoice Nigeria announced the terms hikes connected March 1, 2025, attributing them to inflation and rising operational costs.

The increases ranged up to 25% crossed assorted packages: DStv Compact roseate from N15,700 to N19,000, Compact Plus from N25,000 to N30,000, DStv Premium from N37,000 to N44,500, and GOtv Supa Plus from N15,700 to N16,800.

The FCCPC contested these hikes, directing MultiChoice to halt them pending regulatory review. When MultiChoice proceeded with the adjustments regardless, the FCCPC initiated ineligible enactment astatine the Federal High Court successful Abuja.

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Source: Legit.ng