A Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos has fixed June 19, 2025, for the arraignment of Multichoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr John Ugbe, over allegations of obstructing an ongoing investigation into the company’s recent subscription fee increase.
The firm and its CEO were dragged before the court by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The case, which is to be heard before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, stems from a three-count criminal charge filed by FCCPC against the digital television operator and its CEO.
The commission accused the company of willfully interfering with its proceedings by implementing the subscription fee hike despite an official directive to halt such action pending the completion of an investigation.
FCCPC, through its legal team led by A.W. Achimugau, filed the case under charge number FHC/L/283c/2025.
The regulatory agency alleged that Multichoice Nigeria and Mr Ugbe deliberately disregarded its directive, issued on February 27, 2025, instructing the company to suspend its planned subscription fee increase.
According to the commission, the accused parties proceeded with the price hike on March 1, 2025, in defiance of the ongoing investigation.
The FCCPC contended that this move was an attempt to preempt the regulatory process and render the commission’s efforts ineffective.
Additionally, the charges claim that Multichoice misled the commission by implementing the price increase before an investigative hearing, failing to raise any formal objections to the directive beforehand.
The alleged infractions took place at Multichoice Nigeria’s head office, located at Plot 1381 Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Legal Implications
The FCCPC charged the company and its CEO under various sections of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, specifically citing violations of Sections 33(4), 110, and 159(2).
The firm and its CEO were accused of obstructing or interrupting and interrupting the proceedings of the FCCPC by going ahead with the fee increase, thereby interfering with the commission’s investigation.
Multichoice and its CEO were equally accused of impacting the commission’s investigation by implementing the fee hike despite being directed to suspend it pending further inquiries.
The third charge claimed that the defendants attempted to mislead the FCCPC by enforcing the fee increase before an investigative hearing, effectively disregarding the regulator’s oversight.
Court Proceedings and Adjournment
When the case was called in court on Friday, neither representatives from the prosecuting agency nor the defence team were present.
As a result, Justice Aneke adjourned the matter until June 19, 2025, for the formal arraignment of Multichoice Nigeria and Mr Ugbe.
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