Drama Unfolds: FCCPC Moves To Arraign MultiChoice Nigeria CEO Over Probe Obstruction

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is preparing to arraign MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, its CEO John Ugbe, and other senior executives for allegedly obstructing an investigation and failing to comply with lawful summonses.

This development is based on charges filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, submitted by the FCCPC’s legal team, led by Barrister Nsitem Chizenum.

This action follows a May 8, 2025, ruling by the Abuja Federal High Court, which dismissed MultiChoice’s attempt to validate its recent DStv and GOtv price hikes. Earlier in March, the court had fixed that date after hearing arguments from both parties in the suit filed by MultiChoice against the FCCPC.

Initially, the court had barred the Commission from taking regulatory steps against the company after the subscription hike. This was in response to MultiChoice’s request to block potential sanctions. However, the court later allowed FCCPC more time to file its processes and approved the withdrawal of MultiChoice’s interim injunction request, which had become moot.

MultiChoice, through its lawyer Onigbanjo, argued that FCCPC lacks the authority to fix or control pricing for its services, even while acknowledging the agency’s broader regulatory powers.

The FCCPC has initiated legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, along with other top officials, accusing them of impeding an official investigation and ignoring valid summonses. This is outlined in charge FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, filed by the commission’s legal unit under the leadership of Barr. Nsitem Chizenum.

The arraignment comes shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled against MultiChoice on May 8, 2025, declining its plea to endorse the recent price increases for DStv and GOtv in Nigeria. The decision followed earlier proceedings in March where the court agreed to temporarily halt any administrative action from FCCPC in response to MultiChoice’s hike.

Ultimately, the court allowed FCCPC time to respond and permitted MultiChoice to withdraw its now-redundant injunction application. The company, represented by its lawyer Onigbanjo, insisted that the FCCPC lacks legal powers to control or cap its pricing, despite its regulatory oversight.

MultiChoice Nigeria, its CEO John Ugbe, and several executives face imminent arraignment by the FCCPC for alleged obstruction and disregard of official summonses. The charges, catalogued in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, were filed by a legal team led by Barrister Nsitem Chizenum.

The move follows a Federal High Court ruling on May 8, 2025, which dismissed MultiChoice’s bid to justify its DStv and GOtv price adjustments. The company had earlier taken legal action in March to forestall possible regulatory sanctions after its price hike, prompting the court to initially pause any action by the Commission.

However, the court later permitted FCCPC more time and struck out the company’s interim injunction request. In court, MultiChoice’s counsel argued that while FCCPC holds regulatory power, it has no legal mandate to interfere with pricing decisions.