The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, for allegedly disregarding regulatory directives and hindering an ongoing inquiry.
The charges, filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, involve three counts. The first relates to the company’s implementation of a price hike in direct violation of the Commission’s directives, an act contravening Section 33(4) of the FCCPC Act. The second count pertains to MultiChoice’s failure to suspend the price increase as ordered, violating Section 110 of the Act. The third charge accuses the company of attempting to mislead the FCCPC by proceeding with the increase despite the Commission’s objections, in breach of Section 159(2) and punishable under Sections 159(4)(a) and (b) of the FCCPA 2018 Act.
On February 24, 2025, MultiChoice announced a price increase for its DStv and GOtv subscription packages, set to take effect on March 1, 2025. This decision followed a previous price hike nearly a year earlier and sparked significant public backlash, prompting the FCCPC to intervene.
On February 27, 2025, the FCCPC instructed MultiChoice Nigeria to maintain its current pricing structure while an investigative hearing into the proposed price increase was conducted. Despite this directive, the FCCPC alleges that MultiChoice proceeded with the price hike, violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
The Commission has condemned this action, stating that MultiChoice’s disregard for the directive and its implementation of the price hike before attending the Commission’s investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, demonstrates a consistent pattern of behavior that undermines consumer rights and fair competition.
In addition to the legal action, the FCCPC has indicated that further enforcement measures, including potential sanctions, penalties, and regulatory interventions, are under review to ensure compliance and accountability.
The FCCPC reassured the public of its commitment to safeguarding consumers from exploitative practices and ensuring that market leaders adhere to fair competition standards and legal obligations.
