The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has imposed a ₦150 million fine on Multichoice Nigeria, the parent company of DSTV and GOTV, for challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, the tribunal has ordered Multichoice to offer a one-month free subscription to its customers.
The ruling, delivered by a three-man panel led by Thomas Okusu, follows a lawsuit filed by Barrister Festus Onifade.
Onifade claimed that the eight-day notice provided for a subscription fee increase was insufficient.
The tribunal had earlier prohibited Multichoice from raising fees without adequate notice.
Multichoice’s legal representatives argued that previous rulings had resolved issues related to price regulation.
However, Onifade’s case focused on the insufficient notice period rather than the price increase itself. The tribunal upheld its jurisdiction and ruled in favor of Onifade.
The court has scheduled the hearing for the plaintiff’s substantive suit on July 3.
