The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that its legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria is not an attempt to regulate prices but to address alleged exploitative practices and abuse of market dominance.

This is just as the court fixed May 8 for judgment on the matter.

The FCCPC’s counsel, Prof. J.E. Agbugu, made this clarification on Thursday following arguments from MultiChoice’s lead counsel, N.J. Onigbanjo, who maintained that Nigeria operates a free-market economy where service providers are not required to seek regulatory approval before adjusting prices.

The case stems from MultiChoice Nigeria’s decision to increase subscription fees for its DStv and GOtv packages by up to 25% from March 1, 2025, citing inflation and rising operational costs.

While Onigbanjo argued that the FCCPC lacks the legal authority to regulate prices, Agbugu insisted that the commission is empowered under Sections 17(e) and 17(f) of the FCCPC Act to investigate price increases and protect consumers from unfair business practices.

Onigbanjo, however, pointed out that MultiChoice had notified the commission of its intended price review in a letter dated February 21, 2025, before the FCCPC’s suspension directive on February 27.

The MultiChoice counsel further accused the FCCPC of selectively targeting the company while other service providers had also increased prices due to economic pressures.

After hearing arguments from both parties, the court adjourned the matter till May 8, 2025, for judgment.