Business

FCCPC files charges against MultiChoice over price hike

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2025

578 Views

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, for defying regulatory directives to suspend a subscription price hike.

FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

On February 27, the FCCPC directed MultiChoice to suspend its planned price increase for DStv and GOtv services pending the conclusion of an investigation into the hike.

However, the company went ahead with the price adjustments on March 1, disregarding the directive.

The regulator said the charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, were based on three counts: obstructing the Commission’s inquiry, failing to comply with directives, and attempting to mislead the regulatory body.

Part of the statement reads, “Following the blatant disregard for regulatory oversight, the FCCPC has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and John Ugbe at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts of offences under the FCCPA 2018.

“Specifically for willfully obstructing the Commission’s inquiry by implementing a price hike contrary to directives (Section 33(4)), impeding the ongoing investigation by ignoring instructions to suspend the hike (Section 110), and attempting to mislead the Commission by proceeding with the increase without objection (Section 159(2), punishable under Section 159(4)(a) and (b)).”

The Commission described MultiChoice’s actions as a deliberate attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers the protection guaranteed under the law.

“By disregarding the FCCPC’s directive and implementing the price hike before appearing before the Commission’s investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, MultiChoice has not only flouted regulatory processes but also demonstrated a pattern of conduct that undermines consumer rights and fair competition,” the statement added.

In addition to the legal action, the FCCPC said it is considering further enforcement measures, including sanctions and regulatory interventions, to ensure compliance and accountability.

MultiChoice had earlier informed customers of the impending price review, set to take effect on March 1, 2025, attributing the adjustment to rising costs of delivering premium content.

According to the notice titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” the company said, “Dear Customer, please note that effective March 1, 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages.

This is to enable us to continue offering our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology.

”While the Compact Plus and Premium bouquets will remain at N30,000 and N44,500, respectively, the DStv Compact package is among the subscriptions expected to be affected by the price increase.

Related Topics:FCCPC Featured Files Charges Multichoice

Up Next

Quality Products Would Reduce Nigeria’s Exports Reject – SGF Akume

Don't Miss

“I’m resting … ” Dangote replies Otedola’s Invitation to Invest in Eko Atlantic City”

Click to comment

Business

NAICOM Revokes Nigeria Reinsurance’s Licence, Freezes Operations Over Capital Shortfall

Banire directed banks, financial institutions, policyholders and members of the public not to honour any instruction relating to the company except those issued by him or persons expressly authorised by him.

Published

2 days ago

August 6, 2026

OCHEFA

18 Views

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has revoked the operating licence of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation for failing to meet the statutory Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR) and appointed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, as Receiver/Provisional Liquidator to wind up the company’s affairs.

The appointment took effect on August 3, 2026, following the cancellation of the company’s certificate of registration by the insurance regulator.

In a public notice dated August 4, 2026, Banire said NAICOM appointed him, in exercise of its statutory powers, to oversee the receivership and liquidation of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation (RR-002).

In the notice, the company’s licence was revoked after it failed to comply with the prescribed Minimum Capital Requirement applicable to its category of licence within the stipulated compliance period, in accordance with the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and other extant laws, regulations and guidelines.

Banire said his appointment authorises him to immediately trace, recover, secure and take possession of the company’s assets, collate and settle its liabilities in line with the NIIRA 2025, liaise with NAICOM on matters relating to the liquidation, and submit periodic reports to the Commission.

Source: ThisDay

Business

NDIC begins paying depositors of 46 closed microfinance banks

NDIC Managing Director and Chief Executive Oludare Sunday confirmed the development at a retreat for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters in Lagos on Wednesday.

Published

2 days ago

August 6, 2026

OCHEFA

20 Views

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has started reimbursing depositors affected by the closure of 46 microfinance banks nationwide.

” Payments are ongoing, and over 700,000 Heritage Bank customers have already received their insured funds through BVN-linked accounts.

“We have started paying depositors of those banks, and gradually we intend to cover all the insured depositors,” he said,” he said.

Following the revocation of the 46 MFB operating licences, the CBN subsequently appointed the NDIC as provisional liquidator of the failed financial institutions.