A Nigerian court has fined MultiChoice Nigeria, the company behind DSTV and GOtv, N150 million ($340,000) for disobeying a court order and hiking subscription prices.
The court, led by Justice Thomas Okosu, also ordered MultiChoice to provide its customers with a free one-month subscription on both DStv and GOtv platforms.
This decision comes after a lawsuit filed by lawyer Festus Onifade against MultiChoice for raising subscription fees without giving customers the required one-month notice. The court had previously issued a restraining order preventing the price increase until the case was heard.
MultiChoice had challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the president has the sole authority to regulate prices. However, the court disagreed, citing a section of the FCCPC Act that grants them jurisdiction over commercial activities aimed at profit throughout Nigeria.
Justice Okosu stated, “The jurisdiction of this tribunal extends to all business activities within Nigeria.” He further asserted that the court has the authority to preside over consumer rights cases and ruled against MultiChoice.
The court additionally condemned MultiChoice’s decision to hike prices despite the restraining order.
