DSTV Price Hike: Lawyer Mandated to Post Restraining Order at MultiChoice Offices
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja has directed the posting of its interim order, restraining MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing DSTV tariffs, at the company’s corporate headquarters and other known branches nationwide.
Chairperson Saratu Shafii issued the order on April 29, 2024, stipulating that the document should also be delivered to MultiChoice’s recognized email address, social media platforms, and other publicly accessible communication channels.
The interim order, restraining MultiChoice from tariff hikes, was granted in response to a petition by Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Onifade, who objected to MultiChoice’s recent announcement of tariff increases on its DStv and Gotv packages effective May 1.
Onifade’s suit, marked CCPT/OP/2/2024, named MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as defendants. He sought an interim injunction restraining MultiChoice from implementing the planned price hike pending further legal proceedings.
The tribunal, comprising three members and chaired by Shafii, issued the order following an ex parte motion filed by Onifade’s counsel, Ejiro Awaritoma, effectively halting MultiChoice’s planned tariff adjustments until a formal hearing.
However, attempts to serve MultiChoice with the order faced resistance, with the company’s Abuja office allegedly refusing to accept service. Subsequently, the tribunal issued an order of substituted service pursuant to relevant legal provisions.
In compliance with the order, the tribunal directed that the ex parte order be displayed at MultiChoice offices nationwide, in addition to being communicated via the company’s official channels.
MultiChoice had attributed the price increments to rising operational costs in Nigeria, announcing the adjustments across its DStv and GOtv packages effective May 1, 2024.
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