The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has withdrawn the criminal charge filed against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its top officers.
This was announced by the FCCPC’s lawyer, Daniel Amadi, while addressing Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, when the matter was called for arraignment of the defendants.
Amadi said the matter was for hearing, “but we have filed notice of withdrawal filed on August 16”.
What Is the Role of the FCCPC?
The FCCPC is the federal authority for competitition and consumer protection in Nigeria. The Commission is empowered by the nation’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 (FCCPA) to, among other things, promote fair business practices and safeguard the interest of consumers.
Which company Is MultiChoice?
MultiChoice is a major player in the African entertainment industry. The company owns different products and services including DStv, GOtv, Showmax, M-Net, SuperSport, Irdeto, and KingMakers. According to its website, MultiChoice products and servicees are used by over 23.5 million households in 50 markets across sub-saharan Africa.
Nigeria is one of the South African company’s key markets. In its 2025 fiscal year report, MultiChoice reported 14.5 million total subscribers.
Why Did the FCCPC Filed a Criminal Charge Against MultiChoice and Its Top Officials?
The FCCPC in March 2025 filed a criminal charge against MultiChoice Nigeria (the Nigeria subsidiary of MultiChoice Group) and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Ugbe, for violating regulatory directives, obstructing an ongoing inquiry and engaging in conduct deemed violations of the provisions of the FCCPA 2018.
This followed MultiChoice defiance to proceed with a price increase for its DStv and GOtv subscription prices despite the FCCPC’s directive that it should maintain its current pricing structure.
FCCPC argued the action of MultiChoice is tantamout to a deliberate and calculated attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigeria consumers the protection afforded under the law.
Why Did FCCPC Withdrew the Criminal Charge Against MultiChoice and Its CEO?
Addressing Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, FCCPC’s awyer, Daniel Amadi, said, “Parties have settled and we agree to withdraw this suit”.
Defendants in the case included Adewunmi Ogunsanya, the Chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and John Ugbe, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company.
Others scheduled for arraignment alongside the duo were Fhulufhelo Badugela, CEO of MultiChoice Africa Holdings; Retiel Tromp, Chief Financial Officer, Africa; and Keabetswe Modimoeng,, Group Executive for Corporate Affairs.
Others are a director, Adebusola Bello; Fuad Ogunsanya; Gozie Onumonu, who is the Head Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations, and the company itself.
The defendants, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, were preferred with seven counts.
In count one, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited was alleged to have on March 6, without sufficient reason failed to appear before the FCCPC in compliance with a lawful summons issued on February 25, “and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33 (3) of the FCCP Act, 2018”.
In count six, Ogunsanya, Ugbe and others, being directors of the company, were alleged to have on March 6 “caused the company to impede Investigation of the FCCPC by refusing to produce documents and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 110 of the FCCP Act, 2018”.
What Does This Mean for Nigerian Consumers?
While the FCCPC and MultiChoice Nigeria claimed the issue has been resolved outside court, the price increase by the company for its DStv and GOtv subscribers for its Nigerian consumers remain the same.
This means Nigerian consumers will continue to pay the new price hike by MultiChoice:
- DStv Compact: Increase from N15,700 to N19,000 (a 25% rise)
- DStv Compact Plus: Increase from N25,000 to N30,000 (20% hike)
- DStv Premium: Increase from N37,000 to N44,500 (20% increment)
- GOtv Supa Plus: Increase from N15,700 to N16,800, among other adjustments.
The increase which was effected by MultiChoice on March 1, 2025 was less than a year after a previous hike in May 2024. The company attributed the need for the price adjustment to inflation and rising operational costs. It had also earlier increased its subscription price for the service in April 2023, making it three times within 12 months.
MultiChoice Nigeria Limited in July annouced a 50 percent price reduction for its decoder, stating the slash was in response “to the noticeable economic impact on the everyday lives of Nigerians.”
Whether this was as a result of the FCCPC pressure and criminal charge against its senior staff members or the fact that it lost 1.4 million subscribers between March 2023 and March 2025 is unknown.
