Interim Victory For MultiChoice In Ongoing Subscription Price Controversy

Interim Victory For MultiChoice In Ongoing Subscription Price Controversy

In a significant legal development, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) has dismissed the case challenging MultiChoice Nigeria’s subscription price hike. According to Naija News, the tribunal, led by Thomas Okosu and comprising three members, issued the interim order after Festus Onifade, the claimant, requested to withdraw the case……… CONTINUE READING 

The case, which began on April 29, initially halted MultiChoice’s planned tariff increase scheduled for May 1, sparking considerable public interest and providing relief to concerned consumers.

Following the initial ruling, MultiChoice announced its intention to appeal and was fined N150 million for contesting the tribunal’s jurisdiction. The company’s legal representative, Moyosore Onibanjo, sought to delay the case until the Court of Appeal ruled on their applications, arguing that the tribunal should not continue while an appeal is pending.

Onifade opposed the indefinite adjournment, insisting that the tribunal had already made a decision and that MultiChoice should have first sought a stay of proceedings from the tribunal before approaching a higher court. He argued that an appeal should only be made after the tribunal has denied a stay.

I.O. Alaba, representing the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), urged the tribunal to make a prudent decision based on the arguments presented.

In his ruling, Okosu acknowledged MultiChoice’s right to appeal but noted that the company had not followed the proper legal procedures. He emphasized that the tribunal had not been presented with special circumstances preventing the company from seeking a stay of proceedings.

The tribunal decided to proceed with the case, granting Onifade’s request to withdraw the suit without awarding costs. The case has been adjourned to November, providing MultiChoice Nigeria with a temporary reprieve.