By JKNewsMedia
THE FEDERAL Government has scheduled October 7 for the arraignment of Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, and John Ugbe, the company’s Managing Director/CEO, over allegations of violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
The date was set by Justice James Omotosho following an application by counsel to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Chizenum Nsitem.
The matter was adjourned due to the absence of all defendants, resulting from improper service of court documents and hearing notices.
Others listed for arraignment include Fhulufhelo Badugela, CEO of MultiChoice Africa Holdings; Retiel Tromp, Chief Financial Officer, Africa; and Keabetswe Modimoeng, Group Executive for Corporate Affairs.
Additional defendants are Adebusola Bello, Fuad Ogunsanya, Gozie Onumonu—Head of Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations—and MultiChoice Nigeria Limited itself.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, filed on May 26, the FCCPC is bringing seven counts against the company and its executives.
MultiChoice Nigeria, as the first defendant, is accused of failing to appear before the FCCPC on March 6, 2025, in response to a lawful summons issued on February 25, an action deemed punishable under Section 33 (3) of the FCCP Act.
In another count, Ogunsanya, Ugbe, and others are accused of impeding an investigation by refusing to provide requested documents, an offence under Section 110 of the same Act.
The matter stems from FCCPC’s investigation into MultiChoice’s decision to increase subscription rates for its DStv and GOtv services.
Despite a formal invitation to explain the rationale behind the March 1 price hike, the company’s leadership allegedly failed to comply with regulatory requirements.
Justice Omotosho had earlier dismissed a suit filed by MultiChoice seeking to block the FCCPC’s administrative procedures.
The court ruled the case constituted an abuse of process, citing a previously filed suit by legal practitioner Festus Onifade involving the same parties and subject matter.
The FCCPC had raised concerns over alleged market dominance, repeated price increases, and possible anti-competitive practices within the pay-TV sector.
It warned that failure by MultiChoice to justify its actions in line with fair market principles could attract regulatory penalties.
