MultiChoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv, is again under intense scrutiny as legal practitioner Festus Onifade has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking sanctions against the company for allegedly defying a pending legal process. Onifade contends that MultiChoice violated a subsisting order to maintain the status quo by going ahead with a recent tariff hike on its pay-TV services, despite ongoing litigation. The legal action calls for a ₦20 million fine and a reversal of the new pricing structure, describing MultiChoice’s action as contemptuous and exploitative.
This development follows months of regulatory and public backlash. Earlier in the year, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) directed MultiChoice to suspend its planned price increase, citing consumer protection concerns. MultiChoice, however, proceeded with the new rates in March 2025, prompting a flurry of lawsuits and regulatory complaints. A previous ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed MultiChoice’s attempt to block FCCPC’s regulatory oversight, describing it as an abuse of court process and asserting that only the President of Nigeria has the constitutional authority to control prices.
The ongoing legal tussle has reignited national debate on pricing fairness and regulatory enforcement in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. Consumer advocacy groups have condemned the hike, citing the economic strain on subscribers, and members of the National Assembly have also waded in, urging MultiChoice to suspend the new tariffs until all legal matters are resolved. As the Court of Appeal prepares to deliberate on Onifade’s motion, Nigerians await clarity on whether a major corporate player will be held accountable for allegedly disregarding judicial authority.
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