The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited seeking to validate its recent subscription price increases for DStv and GOtv platforms.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that MultiChoice’s suit constituted an abuse of court process, stating that the company filed the case despite being aware of a similar, earlier suit brought by consumer rights advocate Festus Onifade. The court held that MultiChoice should have addressed its concerns within the existing legal proceedings.
Justice Omotosho clarified that while the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is empowered to investigate anti-competitive practices and market dominance, it lacks the authority to halt or reverse price increases without completing a formal investigation.
Importantly, the court noted that only the President of Nigeria has the legal mandate to regulate or fix prices, and even then, such regulation must apply to an entire industry—not an individual company.
The judge also ruled that the FCCPC overstepped its powers when it attempted to stop MultiChoice’s price hike before conducting a proper inquiry. While acknowledging that Nigeria operates a free-market economy where companies can set prices, the court emphasized the importance of due process and adherence to legal frameworks.
Despite these findings, the court ultimately dismissed MultiChoice’s suit on procedural grounds, underlining that regulatory challenges must be pursued through the appropriate legal channels.
The ruling comes after MultiChoice increased subscription rates on March 1, 2025, citing inflationary pressures. The hike sparked widespread public outcry, prompting regulatory scrutiny and a summons by the FCCPC.
As part of the outcome, the court ordered MultiChoice to provide Nigerian subscribers with one month of free access to DStv and GOtv services, delivering a significant win for consumers.
The ruling underscores the delicate balance between market freedom and regulatory oversight, while affirming the need for both corporations and regulators to operate strictly within the law.
