Tariff hike: Tribunal orders MultiChoice to pay N25m fine
The Competition and Consumer Protection (CCPC) Tribunal sitting in Abuja has ordered MultiChoice Nigeria Limited – the operator of satellite televisions – DSTV and GOTV- to pay N25 million fine for violating an order restraining the company from increasing its tariff.
The tribunal ordered the fine to be paid immediately to the Tribunal’s Registry.
It also restrained Multichoice Nigeria from proceeding to appeal its judgement until the fine has been paid.
In a ruling on Thursday, a three-member panel of the tribunal, headed by Thomas Okosun, held the company breached the order of March 30 and was liable to pay the penalty.
“The 1st defendant (MultiChoice) is in contempt of this tribunal,” Okosun said.
“So we have reviewed the position of Section 51(3) of FCCPC Act, 2018 and in compliance with the provision of Subsection 2 of the same Section 51, we hereby order the 1st defendant, MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd, to pay the sum of N 25 million only as an administrative penalty for contempt of this honourable tribunal.”
On Tuesday, the tribunal ordered MultiChoice to produce its audited 2021 financial report for violating a restraining order on tariff increase. Nation
