Tribunal Halts DSTV and GOTV Price Increase

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has issued an interim order to prevent Multichoice Nigeria Limited, the owner of DSTV and GOTV, from raising their subscription prices and service costs. This price increase was initially planned to take effect on May 1, 2024.

The three-member tribunal, chaired by Saratu Shafii, granted this injunction in response to an ex-parte motion filed by Ejiro Awaritoma, legal counsel for the claimant, Festus Onifade. The court’s decision is designed to protect consumers from an imminent price hike until the matter is fully heard and resolved.

According to the ruling, Multichoice is prohibited from implementing the scheduled price increase until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, which is set for May 7 at 10 a.m. “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers,” Shafii announced.

The tribunal’s decision is based on a case filed by Festus Onifade, a legal practitioner, against Multichoice Nigeria Limited and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). Onifade’s lawsuit, numbered CCPT/OP/2/2024, seeks to halt the proposed price increase to ensure consumer rights are upheld.

Alongside the interim order to prevent the May 1 price increase, Onifade requested a second order restraining Multichoice from taking any actions that might impact the rights of consumers pending the outcome of the case.

The CCPT hearing scheduled for May 7 will be critical in determining whether the tribunal will uphold or overturn this interim injunction. Additional tribunal members involved in the case are Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.