MultiChoice Nigeria Chairman And MD To Face Court Over Alleged Breach Of Consumer Protection Law.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has scheduled the arraignment of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited’s Chairman, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, alongside six other senior officials, for 7 October 2025. The charges, brought by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), allege violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCP Act) of 2018, stemming from the company’s recent subscription price hike and alleged non-compliance with regulatory investigations.
The case, set to be heard before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows a contentious dispute between MultiChoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv, and the FCCPC. The commission accuses the company of failing to appear before it on 6 March 2025, despite a lawful summons issued on 25 February, an action deemed a breach of Section 33(3) of the FCCP Act. Additionally, Ogunsanya, Ugbe, and other directors are alleged to have impeded the FCCPC’s investigation by refusing to produce requested documents, contravening Section 110 of the Act. The charges, filed on 26 May 2025 under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, comprise seven counts related to these allegations.
The arraignment, initially planned for 24 June 2025, was postponed due to improper service of court documents, with the FCCPC’s counsel, Chizenum Nsitem, noting that four of the defendants had not been properly served, though the company itself was notified. Justice Omotosho granted an adjournment to ensure proper procedure, fixing 7 October for the defendants to enter their pleas.
The FCCPC’s investigation was triggered by MultiChoice’s announcement of a price adjustment for its DStv and GOtv packages, effective from 1 March 2025. The commission raised concerns over potential market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV sector, summoning MultiChoice’s leadership to explain the price hike. The FCCPC warned that failure to justify the increase or adhere to fair market principles could lead to regulatory sanctions. In response, MultiChoice sought a court injunction to halt the FCCPC’s investigation, but on 8 May 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed the suit, describing it as an abuse of court process.
Among the other officials facing charges are Fhulufhelo Badugela, CEO of MultiChoice Africa Holdings; Retiel Tromp, Chief Financial Officer for Africa; and Keabetswe Modimoeng, Group Executive for Corporate Affairs. The case has drawn significant attention, with posts on X reflecting public interest in the FCCPC’s move to hold MultiChoice accountable for its business practices.
This legal action underscores the Nigerian government’s increasing scrutiny of corporate compliance with consumer protection laws, particularly in industries with significant market influence. As the October hearing approaches, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector.
