The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja issued a restraining order against Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited on Monday, preventing the company from raising its tariffs and the cost of its products and services.
Multi-Choice had announced a price increase across its DStv and GOtv packages effective May 1, 2024, citing the cost of business operations in Nigeria.
Presiding over the three-member tribunal, Saratu Shafii granted an interim order following an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.
In a ruling, the tribunal restrained Multi-Choice from proceeding with the planned price increase scheduled for May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Shafii declared, “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
All parties involved were directed to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10 am for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The suit, marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024, was brought against Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) by Onifade, who sought two orders.
These orders included “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The second order sought was “an order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
Other members of the tribunal are Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.