The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commended the Federal High Court in Abuja for dismissing a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, which sought to halt the Commission’s investigation into its recent subscription price increases for DStv and GOtv.
FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, described the judgment as a boost to regulatory independence and consumer rights protection.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 8, and signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, Bello said the ruling signified the judiciary’s support for lawful oversight and consumer protection.
“It sends a clear message that regulatory agencies will not be hindered by procedural roadblocks when exercising their lawful mandate to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the marketplace,” Bello said.
He added: “Nigerian consumers can be assured that the Commission is fully committed to investigating and addressing exploitative pricing and other anti-consumer practices, in line with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.”
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The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, dismissed MultiChoice’s suit on the grounds that it duplicated an existing case already before the court, thereby constituting an abuse of court process.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the suit amounted to forum shopping, a tactic employed to secure favourable outcomes in multiple courts.
MultiChoice had filed the suit after failing to honour an FCCPC invitation in February over a price hike implemented just eight months after the previous one.
The court also reinforced the FCCPC’s powers under Section 17 of the FCCPA to investigate pricing practices and submit findings to the President.
Justice Omotosho affirmed that only the President, or a delegate, such as the FCCPC, may regulate prices in specific industries once designated.
FCCPC’s legal team was led by Professor Joseph Abugu (SAN), while MultiChoice was represented by Mr. J. Onigbanjo (SAN).