A ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja on Monday temporarily halted Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited’s plans to increase tariffs and the cost of its products and services starting from May 1.
Presided over by Saratu Shafii, the three-member tribunal granted an interim order following an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, representing the applicant, Festus Onifade.
In the ruling, Multi-Choice was directed to refrain from implementing the scheduled price hike set to commence on May 1 until the tribunal hears and decides on the motion on notice.
“The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” Shafii declared.
All concerned parties are required to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10 a.m. for the hearing and decision on the motion on notice.
Festus Onifade, who filed the suit marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024, had brought Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal. In the suit filed on April 29, Onifade, also a legal practitioner, sought two orders.
These included “an order of interim injunction of this honorable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, their privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase scheduled to take effect from 1st May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
“An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
The other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.
This development comes after the company had previously increased the prices of all its packages on April 1, 2022.