The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has taken legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the operator of DStv and GOtv, along with its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe. The company is being accused of violating regulatory directives, obstructing an ongoing investigation, and breaching the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Allegations Against MultiChoice
In a statement on Wednesday, FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, detailed the charges filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The allegations include:
Wilful obstruction of an inquiry by increasing prices against regulatory orders (Section 33(4)).
Impeding an investigation by disregarding directives to suspend the price hike (Section 110).
Attempting to mislead the Commission by proceeding with the increase without objection (Section 159(2)).
FCCPC’s Directives Ignored
The commission had explicitly ordered MultiChoice on February 27, 2025, to maintain its existing pricing structure pending a regulatory review of its proposed hike. However, the company allegedly defied this order by implementing the increase on March 1, 2025, ahead of an investigative hearing scheduled for March 6, 2025.
“The company’s actions not only violate regulatory orders but also undermine consumer rights and fair competition,” Ijagwu stated.
Potential Sanctions and Penalties
Beyond the court case, the FCCPC has hinted at further enforcement measures, which could include sanctions, penalties, and other regulatory actions to ensure compliance. The commission reassured Nigerian consumers of its commitment to preventing exploitative business practices and holding dominant players accountable.
