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DStv Subscription: Court dismisses MultiChoice suit against FCCPC‎‎

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) intervention following a recent hike in subscription cost.

‎‎In the judgment, Justice James Omotoso ruled that the suit constituted an abuse of court process as similar proceedings were already pending elsewhere.

‎‎The judge stressed that MultiChoice should have pursued its arguments in that court. He said if that was done it would have rendered the suit at the Federal High Court procedurally inappropriate.

‎‎Justice Omotoso noted that while the Commission has investigative powers under its establishing Act, it, however, lacks the authority to fix or suspend prices unless as delegated by the President through a gazetted instrument. No such delegation was presented to the court.‎‎

“The power to fix prices is exclusively that of the President. Any decision taken without such delegation is a nullity,” the judge stated.

‎‎He added that because Nigeria operates a free market system, service providers like MultiChoice have the right to set their prices, with consumers free to accept or reject them.‎‎

The judge further ruled that FCCPC’s actions, including directing MultiChoice to suspend its price increase, is in breach of the company’s right to fair hearing and appeared selectively targeted.

He dismissed the FCCPC’s claim that MultiChoice held a dominant market position, calling the argument untenable.

‎‎“The use of services like those provided by the plaintiff is discretionary and not essential. Nigeria can do without it,” Justice Omotosho added.

The judge thereby warned that attempts to fix prices by regulatory bodies could scare off potential investors and harm the economy.

‎‎The court held  that while the FCCPC may investigate market practices, it cannot impose price controls without proper legal backing.‎‎

MultiChoice had increased subscription rates by up to 25% on March 1, 2025, citing inflation and the attendant rose in operational cost. ‎‎

Following public outcry, the FCCPC opposed the move, calling for regulatory review and threatening sanctions, prompting the lawsuit.‎

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Business

Dangote Cement Shelves $18 billion Listing On LSE

Its shares will remain listed on the Nigerian Exchange, and the decision will not affect its operations or business plans.

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Dangote Cement Plc has abandoned plans for a secondary listing of $18 billion on the London Stock Exchange and preferring to keep its shares exclusively on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

The decision , according to the company is because the LSE has been struggling to attract major new listings as companies increasingly reconsider their presence on the UK bourse.

In May this year , Aliko Dangote said that he was holding early discussions about a potential London listing.

The move would have given the company access to a broader pool of international investors and additional sources of capital.

However, the company said on Tuesday that it had abandoned the plan, citing market conditions and strategic priorities. Its shares will remain listed on the Nigerian Exchange, and the decision will not affect its operations or business plans.

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I sold heavy weapons internationally – Orji Kalu

“Yes, so I stopped because my parents, my mother, my father came and said I must stop, and I stopped,” he said.

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The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has disclosed that he previously engaged in the international trade of heavy weapons, selling arms to buyers in different countries before quitting the business at the insistence of his parents.

Kalu made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, while discussing his business background and relationships with former and current South African leaders.

Asked whether he was an arms dealer, the former Abia State governor answered in the affirmative, saying he stopped after his parents intervened.

“Yes, so I stopped because my parents, my mother, my father came and said I must stop, and I stopped,” he said.

Asked whether he sold weapons to people who intended to use them to kill others, Kalu dismissed the suggestion, saying his motivation was to make money.

“No, no, no, no, no, no. I was selling guns to make money, whether they blow up it’s not my business,” he said

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Dividends: Airtel Africa To Pay Nigerian Shareholders USD N1,347.44 / Share

For London investors, the sterling equivalent was fixed at $1 to £0.7464

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Airtel Africa Plc says it will pay its 3.1 US cents interim dividend at a dollar-to-naira conversion rate of N1,347.44.

That translates to about N41.77 per qualifying share for Nigerian investors.

The company disclosed the rate in a notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

The interim dividend is 3.1 US cents per ordinary share, a 9.2% increase from the previous year’s payment.

The approved naira rate is about 7.5% lower than the N1,456 per dollar that applied to the corresponding 2025 interim dividend.

Both the naira and sterling conversion rates were derived from dollar exchange rates available on October 30, 2026.

For London investors, the sterling equivalent was fixed at $1 to £0.7464. That puts the payment at approximately 2.31 pence per share.

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