The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja issued an interim order on Monday, preventing Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited from raising its tariffs and the costs of its products and services, which were set to commence on May 1.
Presided over by Saratu Shafii, the three-member tribunal granted the order after an ex-parte motion was presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, representing Festus Onifade, the applicant.
In its ruling, the tribunal prohibited Multi-Choice from implementing the planned price hike scheduled to start on May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.
“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,” Shafii declared.
Consequently, she instructed all involved parties to attend a hearing on May 7 at 10 a.m. for the determination of the motion on notice.
The suit, designated as CCPT/OP/2/2024, was filed by Onifade against Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
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In the suit filed on April 29, Onifade, also a legal practitioner, sought two orders.
These include, “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“An order restraining the 1st defendant 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.”
Other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.
The company had, on April 1, 2022, hike the prices of all its packages.
