Nigerian authorities will arraign several high-ranking executives of MultiChoice Nigeria, including the chairman and CEO, on 7 October, in connection with alleged violations of the country’s consumer and competition laws.
The development comes after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) filed a seven-count charge against the company and eight individuals over their handling of a regulatory probe into a controversial pay-TV subscription increase.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court fixed the October date after Tuesday’s hearing was stalled due to improper service of court documents to the defendants. The prosecuting counsel, Chizenum Nsitem, requested more time to ensure that all parties were duly notified.
Among those to be arraigned are Adewunmi Ogunsanya (Chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria), John Ugbe (CEO), Fhulufhelo Badugela (CEO of MultiChoice Africa Holdings), and other senior officials including financial, legal, and corporate affairs executives. MultiChoice Nigeria, operator of DStv and GOtv, is listed as the primary defendant.
Court filings allege that the defendants failed to comply with a summons to appear before the FCCPC on 6 March, and subsequently obstructed the regulatory investigation by refusing to submit required documentation. These actions are said to contravene Sections 33(3) and 110 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
The case stems from MultiChoice’s decision to raise its pay-TV subscription fees from 1 March—moves which the FCCPC says were made without sufficient explanation and may reflect anti-competitive behaviour in a market with limited consumer options.
In an earlier legal effort, MultiChoice sought an injunction to block the FCCPC’s investigation, citing regulatory overreach. However, Justice Omotosho dismissed the case in May, calling it an abuse of court process due to an existing, similar lawsuit brought by a consumer rights advocate.
The FCCPC has warned that firms failing to comply with fair market regulations or attempting to obstruct oversight could face significant penalties. The upcoming arraignment marks a key moment in Nigeria’s growing push to enforce competition law and protect consumer rights in the digital and broadcast sectors.
