Why MultiChoice Lost Its DSTV, GOtv Price Hike Case in Court: Full Breakdown

MultiChoice Price Hike. StartSmart Nigeria reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the lawsuit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the parent company of DSTV and GOtv, over regulatory actions targeting its recent subscription price hike.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the verdict on Thursday, describing MultiChoice’s legal action as an abuse of court process. According to the judge, the company was fully aware of an existing lawsuit filed by consumer rights advocate Festus Onifade addressing the same price hike issue before filing its own suit.

“MultiChoice should have brought its arguments under the existing suit already before the court,” Justice Omotosho stated firmly.

MultiChoice Price Hike. The Legal Argument: Did FCCPC Overstep?

The heart of the case centered on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and its authority to intervene in pricing decisions made by businesses like MultiChoice.

While the court acknowledged that the FCCPC is legally empowered to investigate anti-competitive behavior and monopolistic practices, Justice Omotosho ruled that the commission does not have the power to reverse or halt price changes without conducting a proper investigation first.

Additionally, the court emphasized that only the President of Nigeria—acting in accordance with existing laws—has the authority to regulate or fix prices, and even then, such action must be applied across the entire industry, not just a single company.

MultiChoice Price Hike. Why MultiChoice’s Case Was Still Dismissed

Despite agreeing with MultiChoice that Nigeria operates a free-market economy where private businesses have the right to adjust their pricing in response to market conditions like inflation, the judge dismissed the case on procedural grounds.

Justice Omotosho noted that MultiChoice’s failure to follow proper legal procedure—by not joining the pre-existing case on the same subject—rendered its own suit invalid.

“Regulatory agencies must act within their powers. But so must companies. Legal processes must be respected,” the judge added. MultiChoice Price Hike

MultiChoice Price Hike. Background: The March 2025 Price Hike Controversy

As previously reported by StartSmart Nigeria, MultiChoice announced a hike in DSTV and GOtv subscription rates effective March 1, 2025, citing the impact of inflation and rising operational costs.

The increase sparked backlash from Nigerian subscribers and drew the attention of regulators. The FCCPC responded by summoning MultiChoice and threatening sanctions if the company failed to reverse the decision. In response, MultiChoice sought judicial protection to block the commission’s enforcement.

MultiChoice Price Hike. Court’s Final Ruling: Key Takeaways

• MultiChoice’s suit was dismissed for being an abuse of court process.
• The FCCPC has no legal power to unilaterally halt price changes without investigation.
• Only the President can regulate prices across industries—not regulators targeting a single company.
• Nigeria operates a free-market economy, meaning businesses can set prices, but within the boundaries of the law.

What This Means for Subscribers and Businesses

The ruling reaffirms that businesses have the freedom to set prices, but must be prepared to defend them under regulatory and legal scrutiny. At the same time, regulatory bodies must adhere to due process and legal limits when engaging with companies.

This judgment may encourage other businesses operating in Nigeria’s media and telecommunications sectors to be more cautious in navigating both economic pressures and regulatory expectations.