The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sued MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, over alleged violations of regulatory directives regarding the hike in GOtv and DStv subscription prices.
According to the Commission, MultiChoice has obstructed an ongoing investigation and engaged in activities that breach the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Tribune Online reports that the FCCPC had directed MultiChoice Nigeria to maintain its current subscription prices until its investigation into the proposed price hike was concluded.
However, despite this directive, MultiChoice proceeded with the price increase on March 1, 2025.
In a statement released on Wednesday, FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, described MultiChoice’s actions as a “deliberate and calculated attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers the protection afforded under the law.”
ALSO READ: Reps halt Multichoice’s subscription price hike, order probe
The statement reads in part, “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has formally instituted legal proceedings against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, for violating regulatory directives, obstructing an ongoing inquiry and engaging in conduct deemed violations of the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
“MultiChoice Nigeria had been expressly directed by the FCCPC on February 27, 2025 to maintain its current pricing structure for DStv and GOtv pending the conclusion of an examination of its proposed price hike.
“However, despite this directive, the company proceeded with its price increase on March 1, 2025, in clear defiance of the Commission’s directive.
“Following this blatant disregard for regulatory oversight, the FCCPC has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and John Ugbe at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts of offences under the FCCPA 2018, specifically for willfully obstructing the Commission’s inquiry by implementing a price hike contrary to directives (Section 33(4)), impeding the ongoing investigation by ignoring instructions to suspend the hike (Section 110), and attempting to mislead the Commission by proceeding with the increase without objection (Section 159(2), punishable under Section 159(4)(a) and (b)).”
and then