The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) has ordered Pay TV operator Multichoice Nigeria to provide subscribers on its DStv and GOtv platforms with one month of free subscription.
Additionally, the tribunal imposed a N150 million fine on Multichoice for contesting the court’s jurisdiction after it had recently barred the company from increasing the prices of its subscription packages.
The Saratu Shafii-led tribunal made the orders following an ex-parte motion lodged by an Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Onifade, who said the 8-day notice given for the price increase was inadequate.
Multichoice, on its part, argued that previous rulings had settled price regulation issues.
Meanwhile, Onifade insisted the length of notice was inadequate and more pressing than the price hike itself, prompting the tribunal to affirm its jurisdiction and ruling against Multichoice.
The court fixed July 3 for a hearing of the substantive suit of the plaintiff.
News Band
