Court dismisses MultiChoice suit against FCCPC over price hike investigation
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, which sought to stop the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from investigating recent increases in subscription prices for DStv and GOtv services.
The commission disclosed this Thursday in a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu.
Justice James Omotosho struck out the case, describing it as an abuse of court process. He said the suit was improper as a similar matter involving the same parties is already pending before another court.
The court’s ruling clears the way for the FCCPC to continue its investigation into the pricing practices of the pay-TV company.
The issue started on 24 February, when MultiChoice announced it would raise DStv and GOtv subscription prices from 1 March. The move, coming less than a year after a similar increase, drew public criticism from Nigerians who had constantly decried such a hike, leading the FCCPC to step in.
The Commission summoned MultiChoice’s chief executive to appear on 27 February for an investigative hearing. The company replied that the date was not suitable and instead proposed 6 March.
FCCPC also asked MultiChoice to delay the price hike while the investigation was ongoing. But the company went ahead with the increase and filed a lawsuit against the commission on 3 March.
On 12 March, the court granted an interim order stopping the FCCPC from taking any action against MultiChoice until the case was heard.
The commission said the ruling “affirms the rule of law and a significant step towards curbing procedural tactics aimed at obstructing lawful regulatory oversight.
“It sends a clear message that regulatory agencies will not be hindered by procedural roadblocks when exercising their lawful mandate to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the marketplace,” said the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Tunji Bello.
