The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has filed legal charges against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, for defying regulatory directives, obstructing an ongoing investigation, and violating provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
According to the FCCPC, MultiChoice was directed on February 27, 2025, to halt its planned subscription price increase for DStv and GOtv pending the conclusion of an inquiry. However, the company proceeded with the hike on March 1, 2025, disregarding the directive.
In response, the Commission has filed a three-count charge at the Federal High Court, Lagos, accusing MultiChoice of:
Willfully obstructing an inquiry by implementing the price hike despite regulatory instructions (Section 33(4)).
Impeding an ongoing investigation by failing to comply with directives (Section 110).
Attempting to mislead the Commission by proceeding with the price increase without objection (Section 159(2), punishable under Section 159(4)(a) and (b)).
The FCCPC described MultiChoice’s actions as a deliberate attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers legal protections. It also noted that the company failed to appear before the Commission’s investigative hearing scheduled for March 6, 2025.
Beyond the court case, the FCCPC is considering additional enforcement measures, including sanctions and penalties, to ensure compliance. The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers from exploitative business practices and ensuring that dominant companies operate within legal and fair competition standards.
