Tribunal Stops Multi-Choice From Increasing DStv, GOtv Tariffs

A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja, on Monday, stopped Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services slated to begin on May 1.

Presided over by Saratu Shafii, the three-member tribunal gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.

The tribunal, in a ruling, stopped Multi-Choice from going ahead with the impending price increase slated to begin on May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.

Shafii declared, “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

Therefore, she directed all parties in the suit to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10 am to hear and determine the motion on notice.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onifade, in the suit dubbed: CCPT/OP/2/2024, had dragged Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal.

In the suit filed on April 29, the legal practitioner sought two orders.

These have “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

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

NAN reports that the company had, on April 1, 2022, increased the prices of all its packages.