Regulator sues MultiChoice over price increase

Nigeria’s competition regulator is suing MultiChoice Nigeria and its CEO John Ugbe for violating regulatory directives, the watchdog said, according to TechCentral. Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) asked MultiChoice last month to maintain its pricing structure for its pay-TV businesses DStv and GOtv pending the conclusion of a review of its proposed price hike. Despite the directive, the company proceeded with its price increase on 1 March, which the Nigerian watchdog said was in clear defiance of the commission’s order. ‘Following this blatant disregard for regulatory oversight, the FCCPC has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and John Ugbe at the Federal High Court, Lagos judicial division, on three counts of offences…for wilfully obstructing the commission’s inquiry by implementing a price hike contrary to directives,’ the agency said. It’s not the first time Nigeria has gone after the SA-based company – MultiChoice Group last year reached a settlement with Nigerian tax authorities for its local subsidiary and agreed to pay a total of about $37.3m.

Full TechCentral report