AGF Urges Court to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Multichoice Over Pay-Per-View Billing

The Federal High Court in Abuja has been urged to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to compel Multichoice Nigeria to introduce a pay-per-view billing system for its DStv and GOtv services. 

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) argues that the suit is baseless and constitutes an abuse of court process.

The lawsuit, filed by Maduabuchi O. Idam Esq. on 29 April 2024 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/563/2024), demands that Multichoice allow customers to roll over unused subscriptions. The case also lists the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as defendants.

During proceedings on 19 February 2025, Multichoice’s counsel, Moyosore J. Onigbanjo (SAN), opposed the case. The legal representatives of the FCCPC and NBC confirmed that they had filed counter-affidavits against the suit, while the AGF’s lawyer also confirmed submitting a motion on notice. 

The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, asked the claimant whether he had received and responded to all submissions. He confirmed this but stated that further affidavits needed to be exchanged. The court then scheduled the hearing for 6 May 2025.

The AGF’s motion, dated 25 October 2024, insists that the case should be struck out as the claimant failed to establish any wrongdoing by the AGF. The AGF’s lawyer, Maimuna Lami Shiru, stated:

“The AGF is not a regulatory body in respect of the subject matter of the claim and has no business in the suit. The AGF is not a proper or necessary party to the suit. The originating process is premature and defective as it relates to the AGF.”

The AGF’s office further asserted that its role does not extend to regulating Multichoice or any other TV service provider in Nigeria. It also accused the claimant of filing the case without the necessary court approval.

Background

Multichoice has had repeated issues in Nigeria over its pricing structure in recent times. The company previously justified its subscription adjustments by pointing out factors such as exchange rate fluctuations, rising content acquisition costs, and increased electricity tariffs.

The FCCPC, while acknowledging its role in consumer protection, clarified that it does not directly regulate business pricing. The NBC also noted that a prior court ruling had limited its authority to intervene in such matters.

In 2024, a tribunal fined the company ₦150 million and ordered a one-month free subscription for violating interim orders. The ruling was later overturned after the case was withdrawn.

However, Multichoice recently announced a fresh price increase across all DStv and GOtv packages, effective 1 March 2025. The company has blamed previous subscriber losses on multiple price hikes, inflation, and economic challenges.

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