The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja fined MultiChoice Nigeria Limited N150 million for violating its jurisdiction by disregarding an order. The verdict, delivered on June 7, was issued by a three-man panel led by Thomas Okusu.
The tribunal had previously barred MultiChoice from increasing subscription fees without proper notice following a lawsuit by Barrister Festus Onifade. Onifade argued that the eight-day notice provided by MultiChoice for the price hike was insufficient.
In its unanimous decision, the tribunal also mandated MultiChoice to offer Nigerians a one-month free subscription on its DSTV and GOTV services. This ruling aims to compensate customers affected by the unjust fee increase.
The tribunal scheduled July 3 to hear the substantive case against MultiChoice, which centers on the company's alleged failure to provide adequate notice before raising subscription fees.
