Multichoice Nigeria has announced its intention to appeal Friday’s ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), which imposed a N150 million fine on the company for challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction.
The CCPT also ordered Multichoice to provide Nigerians with a one-month free subscription on its DStv and GOtv platforms. This ruling follows a previous decision by the tribunal to stop Multichoice from increasing subscription fees without adequate notice, in response to a suit filed by Festus Onifade. Onifade had argued that the 8-day notice given by Multichoice for a price hike was insufficient.
Reacting to the tribunal’s decision, Multichoice expressed its disagreement and confirmed plans to file an appeal.
“MultiChoice Nigeria is aware of the recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, CCPT, regarding its jurisdiction to entertain a price regulation matter. We disagree with the ruling, and will therefore file an appeal against said ruling. As the matter is currently sub judice, we are restrained from making further comments,” the company stated.
Onifade, who sued Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), accused the pay-TV operator of unjustly increasing subscription fees without providing a one-month notice to customers. He leveraged this argument to seek interim orders against the price hike.
A three-member tribunal chaired by Saratu Shafii ruled in favor of Onifade, restraining Multichoice from proceeding with the scheduled price increase set to take effect from May 1, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. The suit is marked CCPT/OP/2/2024.
