Tribunal stops MultiChoice from increasing DSTV, GOtv prices
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on April 1.
The three-member tribunal presided over by Thomas Okosun gave the order following an ex parte motion moved by Festus Onifade, a legal practitioner, on behalf of himself and the Coalition of Nigerian Consumers.
Other members of the tribunal included Sola Salako Ajulo and Ibrahim EL-Yakubu.
In the suit marked CCPT/OP/1/2022, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) are first and second respondents, respectively.
The motion ex parte filed by the applicants on March 29 was brought pursuant to Section 39 (1) & (2) of FCCPC Act 2018; Order 26, Rule 5 (2), (3) & 26 Rule 6 (1) & (2) Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and Section 47(a), (b), (c),(d), of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.
The applicants had prayed for “an order of interim injunction restraining the first defendants/respondents, either by itself, agents, representatives, officers or privies, howsoever described, from carrying out the impending increase in tariffs and cost of its products and services intended to take effect from April 1, 2022,” until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this tribunal.
It further sought an order mandating the first defendant to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
In the ruling, the tribunal ordered MultiChoice to stop the planned hike in tariffs and the cost of its products and services pending the hearing and determination of the motion.
“The first defendant/respondent is hereby restrained, either by itself, agents, representatives, officers or privies, howsoever described, from carrying out the impending increase in tariffs and cost of its products and services intended to take effect from April 1, 2022, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed,” stated the tribunal. “The first defendant/respondent is hereby mandated to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The matter was adjourned until April 11 for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Lagos
Togolese army deserters captured in Lagos: Civil Defence
Mr Abolurin disclosed that NSCDC operatives also apprehended two deserters from the Togolese army.
Sport
2026 FIFA World Cup: Morocco edge Netherlands on penalties
Morocco will now face co-hosts Canada on Saturday in the next knockout round at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States.
Economy
Women hold key to Africa’s maritime future, says IMO chief
Ms Meranda cited the IMO-WISTA survey on women’s global representation in the maritime sector. She urged investment in training, mentorship and financing for women.
Education
Delta, Edo, Ondo: ASUU threatens indefinite strike over unpaid allowances
ASUU coordinator described the continued non-implementation of the agreement as “provocative and unjust”.
Rights
ECOWAS court to go fully digital by 2030
President of the court, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, announced this at the formal unveiling of the court’s Electronic Case Management System on Monday, in Abuja.
Abuja
Abuja traders seek temporary access roads amid construction challenges
“Before, I sold up to 40 phones in a day, but now there are days I sell only two. It has become very difficult because customers cannot access the market easily,” said a trader.
