- FCCPC has withdrawn its criminal case against MultiChoice Nigeria.
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Both parties reached an amicable settlement after months of legal disputes.
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The case stemmed from investigations into DSTV and GOtv subscription price hikes.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has withdrawn its criminal case against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its top executives after both parties reached an amicable settlement.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that at Tuesday’s hearing before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, FCCPC counsel, Daniel Amadi, informed the court that the commission was no longer pursuing the matter. “The matter is for hearing, but we have filed a notice of withdrawal on August 16. Parties have settled and we agree to withdraw this suit,” Amadi said.
Counsel to MultiChoice, Rolake Akingbola, did not oppose the move, prompting Justice Omotosho to strike out the case. The withdrawal officially ends months of legal tension between the federal regulator and the pay-TV company.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, had accused MultiChoice and its executives of failing to comply with FCCPC’s summons and obstructing investigation into its March 2025 subscription price hike for DStv and GOtv. Among those listed as defendants were Chairman Adewunmi Ogunsanya, CEO John Ugbe, MultiChoice Africa Holdings CEO Fhulufhelo Badugela, and other senior officers.
FCCPC had alleged that MultiChoice failed to appear before it on March 6, despite a lawful summons issued on February 25, contrary to Section 33(3) of the FCCPC Act, 2018. It also accused the company of impeding its investigation by withholding requested documents.
The regulatory dispute stemmed from public complaints over subscription increases, which the commission said might amount to abuse of market dominance. MultiChoice, however, countered with a separate legal action, arguing that FCCPC had overstepped its authority.
After prolonged legal exchanges, both sides opted for an out-of-court settlement, leading to Tuesday’s withdrawal of the case and formal closure of the matter.
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