Court stops increment in prices of DSTV, GOTV subscription

On Monday, a Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja issued a temporary order preventing Multichoice Nigeria Limited, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, from raising their tariffs and the prices of their products and services, which were set to commence on May 1.

The three-member tribunal, led by Saratu Shafii, granted the interim injunction after an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, the counsel representing Festus Onifade, the applicant.

In its ruling, the tribunal instructed Multichoice to halt its planned price hike scheduled to take effect from May 1 until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Shafii emphasized, “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any action(s) that may adversely impact the rights of the claimant and other consumers regarding the case until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

The tribunal directed all involved parties to appear before it on May 7 at 10 am for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Onifade, in the case labeled: CCPT/OP/2/2024, brought Multichoice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal.

In the lawsuit filed on April 29, Onifade, who is also a legal practitioner, sought two injunctions:

1. An interim injunction to prevent the 1st defendant from implementing the impending price increase scheduled for May 1, 2024, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
2. An injunction to prevent the 1st defendant from taking any actions that might harm the rights of the claimant and other consumers concerning the case, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.