Following the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria over a 21% price increase, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the FCCPC to stop taking administrative actions against the company that owns DStv and GOtv.
FCCPC had earlier summoned MultiChoice to appear on February 27 for an investigative hearing on its scheduled subscription price adjustment and also to retain its existing subscription prices until it concludes its investigation.
In Wednesday’s court session, Justice James Omotosho issued the restraining order in an ex parte motion filed by MultiChoice’s lawyer, Moyosore J. Onibanjo (SAN), against the FCCPC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/379/2025.
In its motion, the pay-TV company sought an order of interim injunction that halts the FCCPC from carrying out the threatened prosecution 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,” the suit added.
On its grounds, Onibanjo noted that Nigeria operates a free-market economy where prices of goods and services are not regulated. On regulatory terms, he cited that the FCCPC Act and other laws do not provide the commission authority to regulate prices or require businesses to seek approval before adjusting the cost of their services.
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He added that following MultiChoice’s declaration of its price increase intention and FCCPC’s directive to suspend its planned action, the pay-TV company filed a suit on March 3, 2025, challenging the FCCPC’s power to regulate prices or suspend its price adjustment and proceeded with the planned price increase.
Onibajo explained to the court that despite the pending suit, the Consumer Protector threatened to prosecute MultiChoice via a letter dated March 3, 2025, if it failed to table concise reasons for disregarding the directive to suspend its planned price hike.
After hearing the MultiChoice lawyer’s oral application, Justice Omotosho directed the FCCPC to halt its action in taking any “administrative steps” against MultiChoice pending the determination of the case.
The presiding judge then adjourned the hearing to March 27, 2025.
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