Abuja, Nigeria — Federal High Court for Abuja don dismiss MultiChoice Nigeria suit wey challenge Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) intervention wey concern di recent subscription price hike. Di presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, talk say di suit na abuse of court process.
MultiChoice Nigeria, di company wey get DStv and GOtv, don go court to find out if di FCCPC fit stop dem from increasing their prices under Section 17(a) of di FCCPC Act. Dem also want make court declare say di FCCPC order Weh demand say make dem reverse di price increase na discrimination and violation of Section 42 of di Constitution.
In response, di FCCPC come file counter-affidavit, talk say there dey one similar suit wey don already dey court for Lagos. On March 1, 2025, MultiChoice increase dem subscription rates by as much as 25%, citing inflation and rising operational costs.
Justice Omotosho deliver di judgment, state say di suit na abuse of court process because similar case dey ongoing for Lagos. “Dis suit be abuse of court processes and a duplicity of actions,” di judge talk. E note say di plaintiff suppose follow dem argument for di Lagos court, which make di current case no fit maintain. “Di issues wey dey here fit follow di Lagos suit. Di rule of law dey allow counterclaim, and although di Lagos suit don file by di FCCPC, MultiChoice fit counterclaim,” e add.
Di judge come clarify say, even though di FCCPC get investigative powers under dem Act, dem no fit fix or suspend prices unless di President don delegate dat power through proper gazetted instrument. “Di power to fix prices na only for di President. Any decision wey come without such delegation na nullity.”
Justice Omotosho emphasize say “Nigeria economy dey operate as free market, with price controls only possible wey di President set am for di whole industry under Section 88 of di FCCPC Act.” He add, “If di President choose to fix prices, e suppose apply to di entire industry and not just one player unless dat player be monopolist.”
Di judge rule say di FCCPC action wey include di order wey make MultiChoice suspend dem price increase violate di company right for fair hearing, as e look like say dem target MultiChoice specifically. E dismiss di FCCPC argument say MultiChoice dey hold dominant market position, calling it untenable. “Di use of service like wetin di plaintiff dey provide na discretionary and no be essential. Nigeria fit do without dem,” he talk.
Di judge further hold say MultiChoice be part of non-regulated industry wey get plenty competitors, and no evidence wey dey before di court show say dem pricing dey excessive. He conclude say di FCCPC fit only investigate and report to di President, wey don get authority to act under Section 88 of di Act.
Justice Omotosho caution say if regulatory bodies dey try to fix prices without proper legal backing, e fit deter investors and harm di economy. Di court reaffirm say while di FCCPC fit investigate market practices, dem no fit impose price controls without appropriate legal authority.
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