Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), a federal Government parastatal sitting in Abuja, has today approached court to, restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services slated to commence by May 1, 2024. The three-member tribunal, presided over by Saratu Shafii, gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.
The tribunal, in its ruling, restrained Multi-Choice from implementing its planned price increase it slated to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.
The sitting Judge declared. “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The court therefore, directed all parties to appear before tribunal latest by May 7 at 10 a.m. for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onifade, in the suit marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024, had dragged Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal seeking injunction against the unilateral decision by the South African company.
In the suit filed which was on April 29, Onifade, also a legal practitioner, sought two orders.
These include, “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatever name called from going ahead with impending price increase scheduled to take effect from 1st May, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Also, Onifade sought “An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
Other members of the tribunal were; Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.
The MultiChoice had, on April 1, 2022, jacked up all prices of all its packages on the cable Tv.NAN
