On Monday, in Abuja, a Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) ruled to halt Multichoice Nigeria Limited, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, from implementing planned tariff and price increases set to commence on May 1.
Presided over by Saratu Shafii, the three-member tribunal issued the interim order in response to an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, legal representative for Festus Onifade, the applicant.
The tribunal’s ruling restrains MultiChoice from proceeding with the proposed price hikes slated to take effect from May 1 until the motion on notice filed before it is heard and determined.
“The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” Shafii declared.
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Consequently, she instructed all involved parties in the case to convene at the tribunal on May 7th at 10 am for the hearing and resolution of the motion on notice.
According to the report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Onifade, in the case identified as CCPT/OP/2/2024, brought Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal.
Filed on April 29th, the suit initiated by Onifade, who is also a legal practitioner, requested two specific orders.
These include, “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant, whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
Other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu. #DSTV