The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has initiated legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, for allegedly violating regulatory directives, obstructing an ongoing investigation, and breaching the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
In a statement, the FCCPC disclosed that on February 27, 2025, it directed MultiChoice Nigeria to maintain its current pricing for DStv and GOtv pending the completion of an investigation into a proposed price hike. However, the company proceeded with the price increase on March 1, 2025, in defiance of the directive.
As a result, the FCCPC has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and Ugbe at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts under the FCCPA 2018. The charges include willfully obstructing the Commission’s inquiry by implementing the price hike contrary to directives (Section 33(4)), impeding the ongoing investigation by ignoring instructions to suspend the hike (Section 110), and attempting to mislead the Commission by proceeding with the increase without objection (Section 159(2), punishable under Section 159(4)(a) and (b)).
The FCCPC condemned MultiChoice’s actions as a deliberate attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers the protection guaranteed by law. By ignoring the FCCPC’s directive and implementing the price hike before appearing at an investigative hearing scheduled for March 6, 2025, MultiChoice was accused of flouting regulatory processes and exhibiting a pattern of conduct that violates consumer rights and fair competition principles.
In addition to the legal proceedings, the FCCPC is considering further enforcement actions, including sanctions, penalties, and other regulatory interventions, to ensure compliance and accountability.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers from exploitative business practices and ensuring that dominant market players adhere to fair market principles and legal compliance.
