MultiChoice Nigeria has said that it will appeal the ruling of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) after it was fined N150 million for challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Gatekeepers News reports that, earlier on Friday, the tribunal fined MultiChoice and ordered the company to provide one-month free subscriptions on DStv and GOtv to its customers.
MultiChoice announced an increase in the cost of subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages on April 24.
However, on April 29, the tribunal stopped MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services, which was scheduled to begin on May 1.
MultiChoice had through an application filed by the company’s lawyer, Moyosore Onibanjo challenged the tribunal’s verdict which restricted it from increasing the prices of its packages.
In its ruling, the tribunal cited section 39 (2) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Act which states the “tribunal shall have jurisdiction throughout the federation and on all commercial activities aimed at making a profit”.
The three-man tribunal panel led by Thomas Okosu thereafter imposed an administrative penalty on Multichoice for failing to comply with the court’s order.
However, in a statement addressing the order, MultiChoice said it disagrees with the ruling of the tribunal.
The company said, “MultiChoice Nigeria is aware of the recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) regarding its jurisdiction to entertain a price regulation matter.”
“We disagree with the ruling, and will therefore file an appeal against said ruling.”
MultiChoice added that the company is restrained from making further comments because the matter is still sub judice.
