Although a competition and consumer protection tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has made an interim order barring Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1. an Abuja lawyer M.O Idam has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited to regulate or meter its decoder to enable customers pay per-view or during viewing.
According to Idam, his application is sequel to the arbitrary billing and increment of subscription rates by Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited, “which has all these years been extortionist and exploitative against DSTV and GOTV subscribers in Nigeria.”
“To further exacerbate the situation is the notice of increment given by the company which is proposed to take effect in March 2024.
“I have today the 29th of April 2024 initiate an action in the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja against Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited and 3 Others, praying among others for an order directing Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited to regulate or meter its decoder to enable customers pay per-view or during viewing, which ever is more appropriate; and also an order compelling the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to direct every other Television Network Provider to, in the same vein, regulate or meter their subscription to read in like manner.
“Recall that some months ago, I had written all the relevant regulatory agencies including Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited, requesting for the regulation of DSTV and GOTV subscription in order to curb the arbitrary billings and extortionist charges which I consider as an unfair trade practice contrary to sections 114, 115, 121 and 126 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
“Unfortunately, Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited and FCCPC failed and neglected to respond to my letter, but NBC did respond, requesting for some time to investigate my complaint and act accordingly, which they have yet to do despite my letter of reminder to that effect. Consequently, I have chosen not to wait forever. Hence, I have decided to seek redress in the court and have so filed the aforementioned action which bears the Suit Number:FHC/ABJ/ CS/ 562/ 2024, with a view to nip the issue in the bud, because Nigerians cannot continue to live at the mercy of hoggish business merchants.
“Even slaves must be free someday, and now is the time.”
