The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja has directed that a temporary order, restraining MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from raising DSTV tariff, to be displayed at the company’s “corporate headquarters or any known address of the branches of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited nationwide.”
The tribunal’s chairman, Saratu Shafii, issued the order on April 29, 2024, stating that the document should also be sent to MultiChoice’s known email, social media, and other public communication platforms.
The interim order preventing MultiChoice from increasing its tariff was granted in response to a complaint by Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Onifade. He raised concerns about MultiChoice’s plan to raise the rates on its DStv and Gotv packages starting May 1.
In his legal filing labeled CCPT/OP/2/2024, Onifade named MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as defendants.
He requested “an interim injunction from this tribunal preventing the 1st defendant, its affiliates, or anyone from proceeding with the planned price hike set for May 1, 2024, until the motion on notice is heard and resolved.
He also sought an order to stop the defendant from taking actions that could harm the rights of customers in relation to the case until the motion on notice is addressed.”
On April 29, the tribunal issued an order halting MultiChoice from raising its prices and altering the cost of its offerings starting May 1.
The three-member tribunal, chaired by Shafii, made the decision following a motion filed by Ejiro Awaritoma, representing the applicant.
The company was instructed to hold off on its planned price adjustments until the pending motion was resolved.
However, when attempts were made to serve MultiChoice with the order, the messenger reported that the staff at the company’s Abuja office declined to accept the service and other court documents.
It was alleged that a senior manager at the Abuja office of the company refused to acknowledge the documents and requested that they be sent to the Lagos office, which is the company’s headquarters.
Following this feedback, the tribunal issued a substituted service order on MultiChoice as per the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018; and CCPT Rule, 2021.
The panel led by Shaffi directed that the ex-parte order in suit number: CCPT/OP/2/2024, be displayed at the corporate headquarters or any known branches of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited nationwide.
Additionally, it was mandated that the documents be sent to the company’s known communication channels and also be posted at the CCPT communication outlet.
MultiChoice recently announced price increases for its DStv and GOtv packages effective May 1, 2024.
The pay-TV company justified the price hike as necessary due to the rising costs of business operations in Nigeria.