A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) Sitting in Abujahas issued a temporary restraining order against Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited, prohibiting the company from implementing its planned tariff increases and adjustments to product and service costs scheduled to commence on May 1.
Presided over by Saratu Shafii,
the three-member tribunal granted the interim order in response to an ex-parte
motion filed by Ejiro Awaritoma, legal counsel for Festus Onifade, the
applicant.
The tribunal's ruling prohibits
Multi-Choice from proceeding with the impending price hikes set to take effect
from May 1 until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before
it.
Shafii declared, "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."
Furthermore, all parties
involved in the suit are directed to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10
a.m. for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Festus Onifade initiated the
lawsuit against Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and
Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), with the case registered as
CCPT/OP/2/2024.
Onifade, a legal practitioner,
sought two orders in the suit filed on April 29:
- An interim injunction
restraining Multi-Choice from implementing the impending price increases
scheduled for May 1, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion
on notice.
- An order preventing Multi-Choice from taking any actions that could adversely affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers involved in the suit until the motion on notice is resolved.
The tribunal comprises Saratu
Shafii, Thomas Okosun, and Dr. Umar Duhu. Multi-Choice previously raised its
prices for all its packages on April 1, 2022.
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