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

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), sitting in Abuja  has awarded a fine of N150 million against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited for flouting its order not to increase tariff pending the determination of a suit.

A three-man panel led by Thomas Okusu gave the verdict on Friday, June 7.

The tribunal had previously blocked Multichoice from raising subscription fees without proper notice, based on a lawsuit by Barrister Festus Onifade who claimed the eight-day notice given for the price increase was inadequate.

Onifade had sued Multichoice the owner of the DSTV brand, accusing the Pay-TV of unjustly increasing subscription fees without one month’s notice to customers. He asked for a set of interim orders, among which was that the increment should be halted till the suit was heard.

Multichoice, however, went ahead with its increment.

The tribunal, in a unanimous decision by its three-member panel, ordered MultiChoice to pay a fine of N150 million and also to provide Nigerians with a one-month free subscription to its DSTV and GOTV services.

The tribunal subsequently fixed July 3 to hear the substantive action that was instituted against the company.