The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has ruled against Multichoice Nigeria, ordering the company to provide one month of free subscription to subscribers on its DStv and GOtv platforms.
The tribunal also imposed a fine of N150 million on Multichoice for challenging the jurisdiction of the court and defying its earlier orders restraining the company from increasing subscription rates.
Led by Justice Thomas Okosu, the three-man panel issued the ruling today, Friday in Abuja, marking a decisive moment in the ongoing legal battle between Multichoice and regulatory authorities over subscription rates.
The tribunal’s decision comes in response to Multichoice Nigeria’s unilateral decision in May to hike subscription rates for its DStv and GOtv packages, despite previous orders from the court to refrain from doing so.
This move sparked outrage among subscribers and prompted legal action from consumer protection advocates.
The tribunal’s ruling not only holds Multichoice accountable for its actions but also serves as a strong deterrent against companies disregarding regulatory directives and consumer rights.
The imposition of a N150 million fine stresses the seriousness with which the tribunal views MultiChoice’s defiance of court orders and its attempts to challenge the authority of the judicial system.