The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and its CEO, John Ugbe, accusing them of violating regulatory directives and obstructing an ongoing investigation.
The charges were brought by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which claims that MultiChoice deliberately implemented a price hike for its DStv services, disregarding the commission’s instructions.
The FCCPC has formally charged MultiChoice and Ugbe with a three-count allegation of intentionally hindering the commission’s inquiry. The price increase, which went against the commission’s directives, is said to breach Section 33(4) of the FCCPC Act.
In addition to these charges, MultiChoice and Ugbe are accused of impeding the FCCPC’s investigation by ignoring a directive to suspend the price hike and misleading the commission by proceeding with the increase. These actions allegedly violate sections 110 and 159(2) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
The controversy began on February 24, when MultiChoice announced a price increase for its DStv and GOtv subscription packages, which was set to take effect on March 1. This announcement came almost a year after a previous price hike had led to a public outcry, prompting intervention from the FCCPC.
In response to the announcement, the FCCPC instructed John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, to attend an investigative hearing at its headquarters on February 27, where he was expected to address the planned subscription fee increase. The commission also ordered the company to suspend the price hike pending the ongoing investigation.
Despite these instructions, the FCCPC alleges that MultiChoice went ahead with the price increase, violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. The agency further asserts that this was a deliberate attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers the protections afforded by law.
The FCCPC claims that MultiChoice’s actions displayed a pattern of behavior that disregarded regulatory procedures and undermined both consumer rights and fair competition. By enforcing the price increase before the scheduled investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, the company is accused of failing to comply with legal processes.
In addition to the criminal charges, the FCCPC has stated that it is considering further enforcement measures, including potential sanctions and penalties, to ensure compliance and hold MultiChoice accountable. The commission reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers from exploitative practices and ensuring that dominant companies in any sector adhere to fair market principles and legal standards.
