Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, owners of DStv and GOtv, challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) intervention in its recent subscription price hike.

The judge ruled that the suit was an abuse of court process, as similar proceedings were already pending in Lagos. He emphasized that while the FCCPC has investigative powers, it lacks the authority to fix or suspend prices unless delegated by the President through a gazetted instrument, which was not presented.

Justice Omotosho reaffirmed Nigeria’s free-market system, stating that service providers like MultiChoice have the right to set their prices, with consumers free to accept or reject them. He also criticized the FCCPC’s directive to suspend MultiChoice’s price increase, calling it a breach of fair hearing and selectively targeted.

The court warned that regulatory interference in price-setting could deter investors and harm the economy. MultiChoice had increased subscription rates by up to 25% on March 1, 2025, citing inflation and operational costs, prompting FCCPC’s opposition and threats of sanctions.

Justice Omotosho ruled that only the President has exclusive powers to regulate prices and establish a price control board, stressing that FCCPC’s role remains advisory. He noted that any price regulation must apply to an entire industry, not just a single company.