A prominent Pay-TV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, has challenged the jurisdiction of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja which recently restrained it from increasing the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages.
Multichoice’s lawyer, M.J. Onibanjo (SAN) told the CCPT via his application on Tuesday that it should decline jurisdiction on the suit filed by Festus Onifade because such a price dispute case had been decided before in favor of his client.
Onibanjo argued that while Onifade is seeking to regulate prices of the services provided by Multichoice, the Tribunal, not being the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria lacks the jurisdiction to regulate prices of goods and services under the FCCPA 2018.
The senior lawyer maintained that the planned increase announced by Multichoice on 24th April 2024 is a completed act because all its systems have been so configured.
“An order of this honorable tribunal striking out suit no: CCPT/OP/2/2024 between Festus Onifade and Multichoice Nigeria for want of jurisdiction.
“An order staying the execution and enforcement of the instant interim orders of this honorable tribunal granted on 29th, April, 2024,” Onibanjo prayed in his motion.
Recall that the tribunal had restrained MultiChoice from increasing its subscription rates pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed by Festus Onifade through his lawyer, Ejiro Awaritoma.
