The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja has granted an application for substituted service of the interim order restraining MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing tariffs on DStv and GOtv packages starting May 1.
News About Nigeria reported that MultiChoice Nigeria Limited had previously increased the prices of all its packages on April 1, 2022.
Presided over by Saratu Shafii, the three-member tribunal granted the applicant’s motion after allegations that officers of the pay-TV firm in the Abuja office refused to receive service of the order and other court documents.
Festus Onifade, the applicant, revealed on Wednesday that the CCPT bailiff claimed one of the company’s top managers at the Abuja office directed the documents to be channelled through their Lagos office, the headquarters.
Under Section 48 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018, and Part N, Order 14 Rule 11(1) of the CCPT Rule, 2021, the tribunal granted the order of substituted service.
In the certified true copy of the order, Shafii directed the ex-parte order in suit number: CCPT/OP/2/2024 to be pasted at the corporate headquarters or any known address of the MultiChoice Nigeria Limited branches nationwide.
Additionally, the documents were to be sent to the company’s known email address, social media handles, and any publicly known means of communication.
They were also to be pasted in the CCPT communication outlet.
The documents have been pasted at the MultiChoice Abuja office located at Wuse II.
Earlier, the CCPT had restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing tariffs and costs of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1.
The interim order was given following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.
Shafii directed all parties in the suit to appear before the tribunal on May 7 for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Onifade, also a legal practitioner, sought two orders in the suit filed on April 29: an interim injunction restraining MultiChoice from proceeding with the impending price increase, and an order preventing the company from taking any steps that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers.
