DSTV: MultiChoice Disregards Court Order

 One among the hordes of subscribers protesting the recent DSTV subscription rates mark-up has hit a slam-dunk.

The satellite television giant cannot now go ahead legally with the new subscription fees it slated for May.

But court orders sometimes lack force, and Multichoice has gone on with the new price regime.

An Abuja lawyer Festus Onifade had approached the court (tribunal) to challenge DSTV owner MultiChoice over the new packages, The Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Commission will join as a co-defender.

And on April 29, the tribunal issued an order stopping MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services starting from May 1.

The tribunal chairman, Saratu Shafii, said the plaintiff could serve the restraining order on the company’s headquarters or any of its offices. Or on any MultiChoice’s known email address, social media handles and any means of communication publicly known for MultiChoice.

Onifade had sought  an interim injunction to restrain MultiChoice or  its privies, assigns or any legal person related.

It’s the beginning of the fireworks, though. Action starts after  the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Multichoice has had a series of legal battles with its Nigerian consumers over tariff hikes.

In 2022, the court ruled against MultiChoice in a similar case of price increase.