Reactions as Court Stops Multi-Choice From Implementing DStv, GOtv Price Hike in Nigeria

The Consumer Protection Court in Abuja has issued an interim order preventing MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from implementing a planned hike in subscription prices for its DStv and GOtv services.

This order, announced on April 29, 2024, comes as a response to an ex-parte motion by Ejiro Awaritoma, the legal representative for the complainant, Festus Onifade.

This judicial restraint arrives just as MultiChoice announced a significant price adjustment across various subscription packages, citing the persistent rise in production costs within the country. Notably, the price changes were set to impact a wide range of packages across both DStv and GOtv platforms, with increases ranging from 20 percent to about 26 percent.

For instance, the price for the DStv Premium Package was slated to rise from N29,500 to N37,000, while the GOtv Supa+ package was expected to go from N12,500 to N15,700. The new pricing structure was to take effect from May 1, 2024, affecting both new subscribers and existing customers upon renewal.

The legal challenge spearheaded by Onifade against MultiChoice and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) underscores a broader concern regarding the timing and extent of the price increases. By filing the motion, Onifade seeks to prevent any potential negative impacts on consumer rights pending the resolution of the matter.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, chaired by Saratu Shafii, has scheduled a follow-up hearing for May 7, 2024. At this hearing, the court will further examine the motion on notice, determining the fate of the price hikes in the interim.