Tribunal Restrains MultiChoice (DSTv) From Increasing Tariffs

The Competition and Consumer Protection (CCP) Tribunal on Thursday in Abuja restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services planned to commence on April 1, 2022.

The three-member tribunal made up of Thomas Okosun as Chairman with Sola Salako Ajulo and Ibrahim El-Yakubu as members, gave the order upon an ex-parte motion moved by Festus Onifade Esq, on behalf of himself and the Coalition of Nigeria Consumers.

In the suit marked; ‘CCPT/OP/1/2022’, has Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as 1st and 2nd respondents respectively.

The motion ex-parte of the applicants filed on March 29, 2022 was 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.

Ruling on the matter, the Tribunal ordered Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited to stop the planned hike in tariffs and cost of its products and services pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

The Tribunal declared; “The 1st 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 1st April, 2022 until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this Honourable Tribunal.

“The 1st defendant/respondent is hereby mandated to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” the tribunal so ruled.

The applicants had prayed for “an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st 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 1st April, 2022, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this tribunal.

“An order of the Honourable Tribunal mandating the 1st defendant/respondents to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“And for such further order or other orders as this Honourable Tribunal may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”

The matter was adjourned to April 11, 2022 for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.