On March 5, 2025, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) escalated its legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria and its CEO, John Ugbe. In a detailed statement by Ondaja Ijagwu, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, the commission revealed that the suit comes after the pay-TV giant increased its subscription prices despite clear regulatory warnings.
On February 24, MultiChoice announced a price hike for its DStv and GOtv packages, scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2025. This move, coming less than a year after the previous increase, sparked significant public criticism and prompted regulatory intervention. The FCCPC had earlier directed MultiChoice’s CEO to attend an investigative hearing at the commission’s headquarters on February 27 and instructed the company to suspend the planned price adjustment pending the outcome of an inquiry.
According to the FCCPC, MultiChoice Nigeria blatantly ignored these directives by proceeding with the price increase. As a result, charges have been filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. The specific allegations include:
- Obstructing the Inquiry: Implementing the price hike in direct violation of the commission’s directive (Section 33(4)).
- Impeding the Investigation: Ignoring instructions to suspend the increase, thereby hindering the ongoing probe (Section 110).
- Misleading Regulators: Proceeding with the increase without addressing objections, an offense punishable under Section 159(2) and Section 159(4)(a) and (b).
“The FCCPC views MultiChoice’s actions as a deliberate attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers their rightful protections under the law,” the statement read.
The FCCPC stressed that by implementing the price hike ahead of its investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, MultiChoice has not only defied regulatory orders but also established a worrying pattern of behavior that jeopardizes consumer rights and fair competition. The commission is now considering additional enforcement measures—including sanctions, penalties, and further regulatory interventions—to ensure compliance and maintain market integrity.
The FCCPC remains committed to protecting Nigerian consumers from exploitative business practices and ensuring that leading market players adhere to established legal and fair competition principles.
