From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from taking “any administrative steps” against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited following its upward review of DStv and GOtv bouquet prices.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Wednesday, following an ex parte motion filed by MultiChoice through its lawyer, Moyosore J. Onigbanjo (SAN), against the FCCPC.
The FCCPC had summoned MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd to provide explanations regarding the March 1 price review of its packages.
The commission directed the company’s chief executive officer to appear for an investigative hearing on Feb. 27, raising concerns over frequent price hikes, potential market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices within the pay-TV industry.
However, in the ex parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/379/2025, MultiChoice prayed the court for an order of interim injunction restraining the commission and its officers from issuing any further directive or taking any steps capable of disrupting its business activities, 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 penalising 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”, MultiChoice prayed.
Contending that Nigeria operates a free-market economy where prices of goods and services are not regulated, the MultiChoice argued that the FCCPC Act and other enabling laws do not grant the commission the authority to regulate prices or require businesses to seek approval before adjusting the cost of their services.
Noting that it communicated its intention to increase prices via a letter dated Feb 21, MultiChoice said the FCCPC, however, in a letter dated Feb. 27, ordered the pay-TV company to suspend the planned price increment.
In an affidavit deposed to by Gozie Onumonu, head of Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations at MultiChoice, the company argued that its subscription rates in Nigeria are the lowest among all the countries where it operates.
“For instance, the cost of the Premium package in Nigeria is equivalent to $29.81, while the same package costs $85.11 in Kenya”, Onumonu said.
The officer maintained that MultiChoice had the legal right to operate its business, including adjusting its prices when necessary.
When the matter was called on Wednesday, the judge, after hearing the lawyer’s application, restrained the FCCPC from taking any “administrative steps” against MultiChoice pending the determination of the case.
Justice Omotosho equally ordered an accelerated hearing on the matter and adjourned until March 27, hearing on the motion on notice.
