FCCPC Reacts To Court’s Dismissal Of MultiChoice Suit Over Pike probe
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Tunji Bello, has applauded the Abuja Federal High Court’s decision to strike out a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited.
The suit sought to stop the FCCPC from investigating recent price hikes for DStv and GOtv services.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, the court described MultiChoice’s suit as an abuse of court process, noting that it duplicated an existing case involving the same parties pending before another court.
Bello, in a statement signed by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, described the verdict as a victory for the rule of law and a rejection of attempts to block legitimate regulatory oversight through legal technicalities.
Bello said: “It sends a clear message that regulatory agencies will not be hindered by procedural roadblocks when exercising their lawful mandate to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the marketplace.
“Nigerian consumers can be assured that the Commission is fully committed to investigating and addressing exploitative pricing and other anti-consumer practices, in line with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.”
He assured Nigerian consumers that the FCCPC remains committed to investigating and addressing exploitative pricing and anti-consumer practices, in line with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, ruled that MultiChoice’s legal move was inappropriate, as it amounted to forum shopping, a tactic used to seek favourable rulings in multiple courts on the same issue.
The development follows MultiChoice’s refusal to honour an FCCPC invitation in February, choosing to hike subscription rates just eight months after a previous increase.
It was reported that rather than respond to regulatory queries, the company filed a suit seeking to bar the FCCPC from probing its pricing decisions.
Justice Omotosho’s judgment also affirmed key sections of the FCCPA 2018, including the powers vested in the President to regulate prices of goods and services and the authority to delegate such powers to the FCCPC.
The Court maintained that under Section 17 of the FCCPA, the Commission is empowered to investigate exploitative pricing, compile its findings and recommendations, and submit them to the President for further action.
It also confirmed that once the President designates certain goods or services for price regulation, the FCCPC has full authority to enforce such measures.
FCCPC’s legal team was led by Professor Joseph Abugu (SAN), while MultiChoice was represented by Mr. J. Onigbanjo (SAN).
