Court Stops DSTV From Increasing Subscription Fees.

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from implementing its recent hike in DStv subscription rates.

In July, MultiChoice raised the subscription rate for the DSTV Premium package from N14,700 to N15,800, Compact Plus from N9,900 to N10,650, Compact from N6,300 to N6,800, Family from N3,800 to N4,000, and Access from N1,900 to N2,000.

The implementation of the rates commenced on August 1.

However, on Monday, Justice NNamdi Dimgba granted an injunction restraining the video entertainment and internet company from implementing the new rates.

The court also restrained MultiChoice from any conduct capable of interfering with the regulatory process of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

The orders were granted in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/894/2018 Federal Republic of Nigeria v. MultiChoice Nigeria Limited.

Representing the Federal Government were Babatunde Irukera Esq, Abimbola Ojenike, Eme David-Ojugo, Moray Adebayo, Teniola Medupin and Florence Abebe.

The CPc had argued that it has a constitutional responsibility to protect the welfare and interest of consumers in Nigeria through the instrumentality of the “the Council” established pursuant to Consumer Protection Council Act (CPCA) Cap. C25, LFN 2004.

It said that in the exercise of its statutory mandate, the Council was conducting an investigation into Defendant/Respondent’s compliance with its Orders of February 16, 2016 and other emergent issues relating to whether Defendant/Respondent’s business practices and specific conducts were in violation of the law with respect to the rights of consumers. The conducts under review include: alleged unfairness, arbitrariness and excessiveness of pricing and billing systems.

"In the course of the Council’s investigation and consultative engagement with the Defendant/Respondent, the Defendant/Respondent preemptively and surreptitiously introduced a subscription regime which imposes increased charges and costs on Nigerian Consumers of digital satellite television service with effect from 1st August, 2018," CPC said, arguing that  "unless the Defendant/Respondent is restrained by the grant of injunctive orders requested in this application, the Defendant/Respondent will continue the implementation of the increased subscription rate thereby rendering ineffective and nugatory the on-going regulatory investigation which seeks to prevent continuing exploitation of Nigerian Consumers through obnoxious and exploitative billing systems and pricing regimes."

Justice Dimgba granted: "AN ORDER of interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent by itself, agents, representatives, affiliates, officers or privies, howsoever described from continuing the implementation of any increased subscription rate or price review policy imposing increased charges and costs on the consumers of Defendant/Respondent’s services pending the determination of the Plaintiff/Applicant's Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed in this suit.

"AN ORDER of interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent by itself, agents, representatives, affiliates, officers or privies, howsoever described from further carrying on or continuing any conduct or activity which interfere with or has the effect of circumventing the outcome of on-going investigation by the Consumer Protection Council into Defendant/Respondent’s compliance or non-compliance with Plaintiff/Applicant’s Orders of February 16, 2016 pending the determination of the Plaintiff/Applicant's Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed in this suit."

The matter was instituted by the authority of the Attorney-General of the Federation under Section 10 and 16 of the Consumer Protection Council Act, Cap c25, LFN 2004.