The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has initiated legal proceedings against MultiChoice Nigeria and its CEO, John Ugbe, following their defiance of a directive to halt a subscription price increase.
Despite being instructed on February 27 to suspend the price hike for DStv and GOtv services pending an investigation, the company implemented the increase as scheduled on March 1.
This defiance has led to the filing of charges at the Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing MultiChoice of obstructing the commission’s inquiry, ignoring regulatory orders, and misleading the FCCPC. These actions are deemed a direct challenge to the commission’s authority, with the FCCPC asserting that such conduct undermines both market fairness and consumer protection.
The price adjustments were explained by MultiChoice as necessary due to rising operational costs. However, the FCCPC views the company’s actions as a disregard for legal processes and a disruption to the regulatory framework meant to safeguard consumer interests.
In addition to the ongoing legal case, the commission is considering imposing further penalties and interventions to ensure future compliance.
The company had notified its customers in advance about the price adjustments, while certain subscription packages, including DStv Compact, were among those impacted by the increase.
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