By Ghazali Ibrahim 
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has taken MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, to court over allegations of disregarding regulatory directives concerning subscription price adjustments.
The commission filed charges at the Federal High Court in Lagos, stating that MultiChoice defied a directive to suspend its planned price increase for DStv and GOtv services on March 1.
The FCCPC had instructed MultiChoice to halt the price increase until an ongoing investigation was concluded, but the company allegedly proceeded with the hike anyway.
The charges against MultiChoice and its CEO include obstructing the commission’s inquiry, failing to comply with regulatory directives, and attempting to mislead the agency.
The FCCPC cited specific violations under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, including Sections 33(4), 110, and 159(2).
The commission described MultiChoice’s actions as a direct challenge to regulatory authority, which could disrupt market fairness and undermine consumer rights.
In addition to the lawsuit, the FCCPC is considering additional enforcement measures, including potential sanctions and regulatory interventions, to ensure accountability and compliance.
This development comes after MultiChoice informed its customers about the price review, citing rising operational costs as the reason for the adjustment.
