Court Throws Out MultiChoice’s Case Against FCCPC Over DSTV, GOtv Price Hike Probe

Court Throws Out MultiChoice’s Case Against FCCPC Over DSTV, GOtv Price Hike Probe

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the company behind DStv and GOtv, which sought to block the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from investigating its recent subscription price hike.

The court’s ruling, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, described MultiChoice’s suit as an abuse of court process, citing the existence of a similar ongoing case involving the same parties. With this judgment, the FCCPC can now proceed with its investigation into the pay-TV giant’s pricing practices.

The dispute dates back to 24 February when MultiChoice announced a price increase for its DStv and GOtv packages, set to take effect on 1 March. This move, coming barely a year after a previous hike, triggered widespread backlash from subscribers across Nigeria.

In response, the FCCPC summoned MultiChoice’s CEO for a hearing scheduled for 27 February. However, the company requested a postponement to 6 March and proceeded with the price increase anyway. On 3 March, it filed a lawsuit against the FCCPC, prompting an interim court order to temporarily restrain the commission.

That legal roadblock has now been cleared. In a statement following the judgment, the FCCPC said the ruling reinforces the importance of regulatory oversight and sends a strong signal that legal tactics won’t shield companies from scrutiny.

“This judgment affirms the rule of law and ensures that regulatory agencies can carry out their duties without obstruction,” said Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC. He also reassured Nigerian consumers of the commission’s ongoing commitment to tackling unfair pricing and anti-consumer practices.

The court also backed the FCCPC’s legal mandate, especially sections of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which empower the President and delegated bodies like the FCCPC to regulate prices and investigate exploitative practices.

Both sides were represented by senior legal counsel: Joseph Abugu, SAN, for the FCCPC, and J. Onigbanjo, SAN, for MultiChoice.