The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) intervention in its recent subscription price hike.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, Justice James Omotoso ruled that the suit constituted an abuse of court process, as similar proceedings were already pending elsewhere.
The judge stressed that the plaintiff should have pursued its arguments in that court, rendering the current filing procedurally inappropriate.
Justice Omotoso noted that while the FCCPC has investigative powers under its establishing act, it lacks the authority to fix or suspend prices unless specifically delegated by the President through a gazetted instrument.
He added that Nigeria operates a free market system, and service providers like MultiChoice retain the right to set their prices, with consumers free to accept or reject them.
The judge further ruled that FCCPC’s actions, including directing MultiChoice to suspend its price increase, breached the company’s right to a fair hearing and appeared selectively targeted.
MultiChoice had increased subscription rates by up to 25% on March 1, 2025, citing inflation and operational cost pressures.
The FCCPC opposed the move, calling for regulatory review and threatening sanctions, prompting the legal challenge.
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