*Tunji Bello, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, welcomes the judgement, as a Nigerian court affirms FCCPC’s power to investigate exploitative price hikes

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Abuja Federal High Court Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Abuja, FCT, struck out the suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, seeking to restrain the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from investigating its recent price increases for DStv and GOtv services, declaring it an abuse of court process.

Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at FCCPC, who noted this in a statement, affirmed Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the court session, ruled that MultiChoice鈥檚 suit was duplicative and improper, given the existence of a similar matter involving the same parties pending before another court.

The Nigerian court, therefore, struck out the application in its entirety.

It is recalled that Multichoice Nigeria had defied FCCPC鈥檚 invitation February this year, and proceeded to hike subscription rates barely eight months after similar increments.

The market regulatory Commission stated instead, the cable service provider filed an application to restrain the Commission from asking questions in regard to its incessant price increases for pay-TV consumers.

The Presiding Judge as well affirmed key provisions of the FCCPA 2018 regarding price regulation and the scope of the Commission鈥檚 mandate.

Prof. Joseph Abugu (SAN) led the FCCPC legal team while Mr. J. Onigbanjo (SAN) led the MultiChoice鈥檚 team.

The statement noted the Court further recognised that Section 88 of the FCCPA vests the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the authority to regulate the prices of goods and services when necessary.

It equally affirmed that the President may delegate this authority to any agency, particularly the FCCPC, for enforcement.

Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, further upheld that, under Section 17 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC is empowered to investigate exploitative pricing practices and to submit its findings, data, and recommendations to the President to inform decisions on price regulation in the Nigerian economy.

Besides, the Court confirmed that once the President declares specific goods or services as subject to price regulation, the FCCPC possesses full enforcement powers to implement such regulations.

Court ruling a affirmation of the rule of law: Bello, EVC/CEO

Reacting to the court judgement Thursday, Mr. Tunji Bello, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of FCCPC, described the court ruling as “an affirmation of the rule of law and a significant step towards curbing procedural tactics” aimed at obstructing lawful regulatory oversight.

Bello declared: 鈥淚t 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.”

The EVC/CEO of the Commission said: 鈥淣igerian 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.鈥�

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