The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has formally instituted legal proceedings against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs.
FCCPC has accused the Pay-TV operator of violating regulatory directives, which, according to them, obstructed an ongoing investigation.
It is recalled that FCCPC, on Thursday last week, directed MultiChoice Nigeria to maintain its previous subscription prices for GOtv and DStv pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The directive followed the company’s earlier announcement of a 21 per cent increase in subscription fees for DStv and GOtv packages, effective from 1st March 2025.
However, despite the FCCPC’s directive, MultiChoice reportedly implemented the new fees on 1st March.
Following this “disregard for regulatory oversight”, FCCPC on Wednesday filed charges against the company and its CEO, John Ugbe, at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts.
FCCPC has accused MultiChoice of committing offences “under the FCCPA 2018, specifically for wilfully obstructing the Commission’s inquiry by implementing a price hike contrary to directives (Section 33(4)), impeding the ongoing investigation by ignoring instructions to suspend the hike (Section 110), and attempting to mislead the Commission by proceeding with the increase without objection (Section 159(2), punishable under Section 159(4)(a) and (b))”.
The commission said it viewed MultiChoice’s actions as a deliberate and calculated attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers the protection afforded under the law.
“By disregarding the FCCPC’s directive and implementing the price hike before appearing before the Commission’s investigative hearing on 6th March 2025, MultiChoice has not only flouted regulatory processes but also demonstrated a pattern of conduct that undermines consumer rights and fair competition.
“In addition to these legal actions, the FCCPC is reviewing further enforcement measures, including sanctions, penalties, and regulatory interventions, to ensure compliance and accountability. The FCCPC is committed to protecting Nigerian consumers from exploitative business practices and ensuring that dominant players in any sector adhere to fair market principles and legal compliance”, the statement added.