The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has formally withdrawn its criminal charge against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, and several directors of the pay-TV company. The charges, which alleged that MultiChoice impeded an FCCPC investigation and failed to comply with lawful summons, have now been struck out by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
FCCPC Withdraws Charges
During the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, FCCPC’s counsel, Daniel Amadi, informed Justice James Omotosho that the Commission had decided to discontinue the case following an amicable settlement between both parties.
“Parties have settled and we agree to withdraw this suit,” Amadi told the court.
The notice of withdrawal, dated August 16, 2025, led the court to officially strike out the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025. Counsel to MultiChoice, Rolake Akingbola, did not oppose the withdrawal, and Justice Omotosho subsequently ruled in favour of the motion.
With this development, the FCCPC has effectively ended its legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria and its senior executives.
Background of the Case
The FCCPC had filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, CEO John Ugbe, and directors including Gozie Onumonu and Adewunmi Ogunsanya, alleging non-compliance with an investigative summons issued in February 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the company failed to appear before the Commission on March 6, 2025, to produce requested documents relating to its service practices and pricing structure for DStv and GOtv. The FCCPC described this as a violation of Section 3 of the FCCPC Act 2018, which prohibits obstruction of lawful investigations.
At an earlier court session, FCCPC counsel Nsitem Chizenum had told Justice Omotosho that the defendants were yet to be personally served, prompting the judge to adjourn the matter to October 7, 2025, for arraignment. However, the Commission’s latest withdrawal has now brought the proceedings to a close.
Context: The Broader Dispute
The legal tussle followed a period of regulatory tension between MultiChoice and the FCCPC over recurring price increases for DStv and GOtv subscriptions.
In May 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed a separate suit filed by MultiChoice seeking to uphold its price review decision, describing the action as an “abuse of court process.”
The FCCPC had expressed concern that repeated price adjustments could indicate possible abuse of market dominance and anti-competitive behaviour within Nigeria’s pay-TV sector. It warned that if MultiChoice failed to justify its pricing decisions, the company could face regulatory sanctions.
Settlement and Implications
With the case now withdrawn, industry observers view the development as a potential reset in relations between the FCCPC and MultiChoice Nigeria. The settlement suggests a willingness from both sides to resolve issues outside prolonged litigation and focus on fair competition and consumer protection within Nigeria’s pay-TV market.
For MultiChoice, the resolution removes the immediate legal cloud over its management, particularly amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of pricing and service delivery in Nigeria’s subscription television industry.
Looking Ahead
The FCCPC has not issued a detailed public statement on the withdrawal, but legal experts suggest that the Commission may be reviewing its broader regulatory approach to ensure compliance without lengthy court disputes.
MultiChoice Nigeria, on its part, has yet to issue an official comment on the court’s decision. However, company insiders say the broadcaster remains committed to regulatory cooperation and delivering improved value to its Nigerian subscribers.
The FCCPC’s move to withdraw its case comes at a time when Nigeria’s consumer protection and competition framework is being tested across multiple sectors — from telecommunications and broadcasting to fintech and e-commerce — as regulators aim to balance market growth with fair consumer practices.
