The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja issued an interim order on Monday, restraining Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited from implementing its planned tariff increase for DStv and GOtv services scheduled to commence on May 1.

Presided over by Saratu Shafii, the three-member tribunal granted the interim order following an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.

In its ruling, the tribunal directed Multi-Choice to halt the impending price increase pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Shafii emphasized that Multi-Choice must refrain from taking any action that could negatively impact the rights of the claimant and other consumers until the motion on notice is resolved. All parties involved are summoned to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10 a.m. for the hearing.

The suit, marked CCPT/OP/2/2024, was brought before the tribunal by Onifade against Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). Onifade, a legal practitioner, sought two key orders: an interim injunction restraining Multi-Choice from implementing the impending price increase, and a further order preventing the company from taking any actions that may adversely affect consumers’ rights pending the resolution of the motion on notice.

The tribunal, comprised of Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu alongside Shafii, aims to address the concerns raised in the suit filed on April 29.

Multi-Choice had previously increased its prices for all packages on April 1, 2022.