Court orders Multichoice to pay N150m fine, give Nigerians one month free subscription

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) has imposed a fine of N150 million on Multichoice Nigeria Limited for disobeying its orders. The tribunal, sitting in Abuja, delivered the verdict on Friday, June 7, 2024.

A three-man panel, led by Thomas Okusu, unanimously ruled that Multichoice flouted the tribunal’s order by increasing subscription fees without proper notice to customers.

This decision follows a lawsuit filed by Barrister Festus Onifade, who argued that the eight-day notice provided by Multichoice for the price increase was inadequate.

In addition to the fine, the tribunal ordered Multichoice to provide Nigerians with a one-month free subscription on its DSTV and GOTV services.

The tribunal has fixed July 3 for the hearing of the substantive action instituted against the company.

This ruling is a significant victory for consumers, who have long been at the mercy of Multichoice’s pricing policies.

The tribunal’s decision sends a strong message to companies that they must respect the rights of consumers and obey the orders of regulatory bodies.

The fine and the order for a free subscription are a testament to the tribunal’s commitment to protecting consumers and promoting fair competition in the market.

Multichoice’s disregard for the tribunal’s orders has been costly, and the company must now take steps to comply with the ruling and restore public trust.

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