Nigeria's consumer watchdog FCCPC declined to intervene as pay-TV operator MultiChoice implemented price hikes for its DStv and GOtv packages, drawing criticism over lack of action.
In a move that has drawn criticism from consumer advocates, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) declined to challenge the recent price increases imposed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the operators of the popular DStv and GOtv pay-TV services.
During a hearing before the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) on Thursday, the FCCPC's lawyer, Nikiomari Abeke, stated that the commission was not opposing MultiChoice's preliminary objection to a suit filed by a consumer seeking to halt the price hikes. "The agency was not opposing MultiChoice's preliminary objection. To that extent, no process or counter was filed to the motion of the first defendant (MultiChoice)," Abeke told the tribunal.
The CCPT had initially issued an interim order on April 29 restraining MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs on DStv and GOtv packages, which were scheduled to take effect from May 1. However, the company challenged the tribunal's jurisdiction, arguing that a similar pricing case had previously been decided in its favor.
Festus Onifade, the consumer who filed the suit against MultiChoice and the FCCPC, argued that the eight-day notice provided by the company for the price increases was insufficient and that monthly subscribers should have been given at least a month's notice. MultiChoice's lawyer, Moyosore Onigbanjo, defended the company's actions, stating that the tribunal could not revisit an issue already decided between the same parties on the same subject matter.
The FCCPC's stance has raised concerns among consumer advocates, who argue that the regulatory body tasked with protecting consumer interests in Nigeria has failed to fulfill its mandate by not intervening in the price hikes imposed by the dominant pay-TV operator.
The tribunal has adjourned the case until June 7 for a ruling on MultiChoice's preliminary objection.
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