A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has stopped MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin tomorrow.
A three-member tribunal, led by Saratu Shafii, gave the interim order following an ex parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel to Festus Onifade, the applicant.
In the ruling, the tribunal restrained MultiChoice from increasing the subscription rate pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.
“The first 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 ruled.
The judge also directed all parties in the suit to appear before the tribunal at 10 a.m. on May 7 for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Onifade, a lawyer, filed the suit against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) yesterday.
On April 24, MultiChoice Nigeria announced an increase in the cost of subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages.
The pay TV firm cited the rise in the cost of business operations as the rationale behind the price increase.