The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is set to arraign MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, and several directors for allegedly obstructing an ongoing investigation and failing to comply with a lawful summons.
According to court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, filed by the FCCPC's legal team led by Nsitem Chizenum Esq., MultiChoice and key officials, including John Ugbe, Gozie Onumonu, and Adewunmi Ogunsanya, stand accused of refusing to appear before the Commission as directed in a summons dated February 25, 2025. The defendants reportedly failed to comply without sufficient cause on March 6, 2025.
The FCCPC maintains that this act violates Section 3 of the FCCPC Act 2018, describing it as a deliberate obstruction of regulatory processes. The Commission further alleges that the defendants hindered the investigation by refusing to produce requested documents.
The development follows a May 8, 2025, ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja which dismissed MultiChoice's suit challenging FCCPC's authority over the pay-TV company's price hikes for DStv and GOtv services. Justice James Omotosho described the case as an abuse of court process.
At Tuesday's court session, FCCPC counsel informed Justice Omotosho that while MultiChoice has been served, the other defendants are yet to be served personally. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to October 7, 2025, for arraignment.
Background of FCCPC and Multichoice's case
Earlier this year, the FCCPC summoned MultiChoice Nigeria's CEO for an investigative hearing on February 27, citing concerns over repeated subscription price hikes, suspected market dominance, and possible anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV sector.
MultiChoice's legal team, led by former Lagos State Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), had filed a suit to stop the FCCPC from proceeding with sanctions, claiming a denial of fair hearing based on a Commission letter dated March 3, 2025.
However, the court dismissed the suit, effectively allowing the FCCPC to continue its investigation and enforcement actions.
The upcoming arraignment marks a major escalation in regulatory scrutiny of MultiChoice, as the FCCPC pursues full compliance with consumer protection laws in Nigeria's pay-TV industry.
Comments