A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja on Monday, April 29, restrained Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of Dstv and GOtv from increasing their tariffs and cost of products and services.
Saratu Shafii-led three-man panel issued the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.
The tribunal restrained Multi-Choice from going ahead with the impending price increase schedule to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.
Delivering the order, Shafi stated: “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.”
She directed all parties in the suit to appear before the tribunal on Tuesday, May 7, for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Onifade, a lawyer, in the suit marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024, had dragged Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal.
In the suit filed on April 29, Onifade sought two orders.
They are: “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant, whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“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.”