Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, fixed May 8, 2025, for judgment in a suit filed by pay TV operator, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In the suit, MultiChoice is seeking to stop the FCCPC from sanctioning it over its recent hike in subscriptions for DStv and Gotv.
Counsel for the MultiChoice and FCCPC, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) and Prof. J.E.O. Abugu (SAN) respectively, had earlier adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.
It would be recalled that Justice Omotosho had on March 12, restrained FCCPC from sanctioning the MultiChoice until the hearing and determination of the suit, after an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/379/2025 and moved by Onigbanjo to the effect.
247nextnews.com reports that the FCCPC had summoned the Company’s Chief Executive Officer to appear for an investigative hearing on February 27, to provide explanations regarding the March 1 price review of its packages, which raises concerns over frequent price hikes, potential market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices within the pay-TV industry.
The FCCPC also issued a stern warning, stating that failure to justify the price adjustment or comply with fair market principles would lead to regulatory sanctions.
However, in the ex parte motion filed by MultiChoice’s legal team led by Onigbanjo, the company sought an order of interim injunction restraining the FCCPC and its officers from carrying out the threat against it, as communicated via a letter dated March 3, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.
It also sought an order restraining the commission and its officers from issuing any further directive or taking any steps capable of disrupting its business activities, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.
