Nigerian Govt files charges against MultiChoice Nigeria over price hike
Nigerian Govt files charges against MultiChoice Nigeria over price hike
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has taken legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, accusing them of defying a regulatory order to suspend a proposed price increase.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, confirmed the charges.
The Commission had previously ordered MultiChoice to halt the planned price hike for DStv and GOtv services on February 27, pending an investigation into the increase. Despite this directive, MultiChoice proceeded with the price changes on March 1.
The charges, filed in the Federal High Court in Lagos, include three key allegations: obstructing the Commission’s investigation, failing to comply with regulatory instructions, and attempting to mislead the FCCPC.
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.
The sector Commander, Mrs Joyce Alexander confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday, in Awka, attributing the accident to speeding and loss of control, which led to a head-on collision.
Alexander said the crash involved a brown Mercedes trailer without a registration number, a white commercial bus registered as XED526XA, and four Bajaj tricycles that also lacked registration numbers.
She said that eyewitnesses reported that the driver of the brown mercedes trailer, carrying an unsecured container, was descending a hill at high speed when he lost control and collided with five vehicles parked by the roadside.
“A total of six individuals were involved in the crash—two adult males and four adult females. Four were confirmed dead, while two others sustained injuries.
“FRSC officials arrived at the scene to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow. They transported the deceased to Crown Hospital and St. Edward Hospital in Obosi, while the injured victims were taken to Unity Hospital in Obosi,” she said.
While extending condolences to the families of the deceased, Alexander urged road users to adhere to traffic regulations to prevent accidents and ensure safe travel. She also advised motorists to avoid speeding and take precautions that could compromise their safety on the road.(NAN)
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Rivers Assembly issues 48-hour ultimatum for RSIEC chair to appear before it, threatens arrest
Rivers Assembly issues 48-hour ultimatum for RSIEC chair to appear before it, threatens arrest
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd), to appear before it regarding the conduct of the 2024 local government elections.
The resolution was made during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Martin Amaewhule on Wednesday.
The House warned that if Enebeli fails to comply with the summons, a warrant for his arrest will be issued.
In addition, the Assembly resolved to formally request Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit the names of all his commissioners who were not screened by the Amaewhule-led Assembly.
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Senate erupts in chaos over Natasha’s s3xual harassment allegations against Akpabio
Senate erupts in chaos over Natasha’s sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio caused a stir in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday.
On the basis of Order 10 of the Senate Rules, Akpoti-Uduaghan moved to have her petition against Akpabio submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions and formally admitted.
This followed Akpabio’s strong denial of the accusations in his speech, in which he claimed to have never harassed a woman in his life.
The situation quickly escalated when Senator Mohammed Monguno, invoking Order 40, raised concerns that the Senate lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, given that it was already in court.
Monguno argued that the matter had been legally filed, and under the Senate’s rules, any debate on it would be subjudice, potentially undermining the court’s authority. He insisted that the Senate should allow the judiciary to handle the case without interference from the legislative chamber.
This clash between legislative protocol and the ongoing court proceedings caused significant confusion and heated exchanges within the Senate.
“Mr Senate President, distinguished colleagues, you are aware that the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Unoma Ekaete Akpabio and her family have gone to court against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan after she appeared on Arise Television on Thursday last week.
“This means this hallowed chamber cannot debate on the same matter as the xlchamber has been stopped,” he added.
Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, expressed his sympathy towards the Senate President for permitting the petition to be referred to the Committee.
He noted that the Senate’s ‘Rules and Order’ do not permit a senator to personally sign a petition against the Senate leadership.
“The Senate erred to have admitted the petition as it is only the constituents that could have signed and forwarded the petition.
“It appeared Akpabio didn’t want the matter to look as if he was disallowing somebody from expressing her rights and hence allowed the error to be committed.
“I move that the chamber go into closed door (session),” Opeyemi said.