Multichoice has challenged the jurisdiction of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) on its order restraining it from implementing the increase in DStv and GOtv packages.
M.J. Onibanjo, Multichoice’s lawyer told the CCPT that it should decline jurisdiction on the suit filed by Festus Onifade because such a price dispute case had been decided before in favour of his client.
Onibanjo argued that while Onifade seeks to regulate prices of the services provided by Multichoice, the tribunal, not being the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria lacks the jurisdiction to regulate prices of goods and services under the FCCPA 2018.
He added that Multichoice’s increase announced on 24 April 2024 had been implemented as all its systems had been configured accordingly.
“An order of this honourable tribunal striking out suit no: CCPT/OP/2/2024 between Festus Onifade and Multichoice Nigeria for want of jurisdiction.
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“An order staying the execution and enforcement of the instant interim orders of this honourable tribunal granted on 29th, April 2024,” Onibanjo said in his motion.
Onifade had sued Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), accusing Multichoice of unjustly increasing subscription fees.
Last week, a three-member tribunal chaired by Saratu Shafii, ruled in favor of Onifade by restraining Multichoice in the interim, in the suit marked CCPT/OP/2/2024.
The court held that “the 1st Defendant(Multichoice) is hereby restrained, whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called, from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed before this Honourable Tribunal.”
