Multichoice executives to face arraignment in October over alleged FCCPA violations

Summary

• Federal High Court sets October 7, 2025, for arraignment of Multichoice Nigeria’s top executives over regulatory breaches
• Charges include failure to honour FCCPC summons and obstructing investigation into pay-TV pricing practices
• Case follows repeated price hikes on DStv and GOtv, raising concerns of market dominance and consumer rights violations

Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 7, 2025, for the arraignment of Multichoice Nigeria Limited and eight of its top officials, including Chairman Adewunmi Ogunsanya and Managing Director/CEO John Ugbe, over alleged breaches of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, involves seven counts of failing to honour lawful summons and obstructing an investigation by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The FCCPC had launched a probe into Multichoice following a March 1, 2025, subscription price hike for its pay-TV services, DStv and GOtv, amid public complaints of anti-competitive practices and abuse of market dominance. Despite a regulatory directive to maintain current pricing pending investigation, Multichoice reportedly went ahead with the increase, prompting further scrutiny.

Multichoice Nigeria is named as the first defendant in the suit, while other executives charged include Fhulufhelo Badugela (CEO, Multichoice Africa Holdings), Retiel Tromp (CFO, Africa), Keabetswe Modimoeng (Group Executive for Corporate Affairs), Adebusola Bello (Director), Fuad Ogunsanya, and Gozie Onumonu (Head of Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations).

Among the charges, the defendants are accused of violating Section 33(3) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) by failing to appear before the FCCPC on March 6, 2025, despite a lawful summons issued earlier on February 25. They are also charged under Section 110 of the Act for allegedly impeding the FCCPC’s investigation by refusing to submit requested documents.

The arraignment was initially scheduled for June 24, 2025, but Justice James Omotosho postponed proceedings after the FCCPC reported difficulties in properly serving the court documents on all parties. Counsel to the FCCPC, Chizenum Nsitem, requested more time to complete the process.

Prior to the current charges, Multichoice had filed a separate suit seeking to block the FCCPC’s investigation into its pricing strategy. However, the court dismissed the suit on May 8, 2025, ruling it an abuse of court process. The court affirmed that while the FCCPC is empowered to investigate, it cannot impose or suspend pricing without presidential approval.

The FCCPC has described Multichoice’s actions as a challenge to regulatory authority and a disservice to Nigerian consumers. Officials say additional sanctions are being considered to ensure compliance and restore market fairness in the pay-TV sector.

If found guilty, the company could face steep financial penalties, up to 10% of its annual turnover, as well as reputational damage and possible imprisonment for culpable executives.