MultiChoice To Appeal Tribunal’s N150m Fine, Free Subscription Order

MultiChoice Nigeria has said it will appeal Friday’s ruling of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja, which awarded a N150 million fine against it for challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal had fined MultiChoice Nigeria the sum of N150 million for disobeying its order.

The order had restrained the pay-TV company from increasing its monthly subscription effective May 1, pending the determination of the suit brought before it by an Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Onifade.

The tribunal also ordered the pay-TV company to provide its Nigerian customers with a one-month free subscription to its DStv and GOtv packages.

But, reacting to the Tribunal’s orders in a statement, MultiChoice said that it disagreed with the ruling and would file an appeal against it.

The statement read in part: “MultiChoice Nigeria is aware of the recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal regarding its jurisdiction to entertain a price regulation matter.

“We disagree with the ruling, and will therefore file an appeal against the said ruling.

“As the matter is currently sub-judice, we are restrained from making further comments.”

(NAN)