The Nigerian Government, via the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has scheduled the arraignment of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited’s Chairman, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, and Managing Director, John Ugbe, for October 7, 2025.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date following an adjournment request by FCCPC counsel, Chizenum Nsitem, due to the defendants’ absence in court.
When the matter was called, none of the accused appeared, citing improper service of court documents, including the hearing notice.
The prosecuting counsel requested a new date to allow for proper service. The judge granted the request and adjourned the case to October 7 for plea taking.
Six senior executives of the pay-TV company will also be arraigned, including MultiChoice Africa Holdings CEO, Fhulufhelo Badugela; Chief Financial Officer, Retiel Tromp; and Group Executive for Corporate Affairs, Keabetswe Modimoeng.
Others listed are Director Adebusola Bello; Fuad Ogunsanya; and Gozie Onumonu, the Head of Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations. MultiChoice Nigeria itself is named as the first defendant.
The charge sheet outlines seven counts against the defendants.
In the first count, MultiChoice Nigeria is accused of failing to appear before the FCCPC on 6 March at its Asokoro office in Abuja, despite a lawful summons issued on February 25—allegedly violating Section 33(3) of the FCCP Act, 2018.
In the sixth count, Ogunsanya, Ugbe, and others are charged with obstructing an FCCPC investigation by withholding requested documents—an offence under Section 110 of the same Act.
This legal action follows MultiChoice’s recent subscription rate hike on DStv and GOtv services, which prompted FCCPC scrutiny.
Justice Omotosho had earlier dismissed a suit by MultiChoice seeking to block the FCCPC from taking administrative action, ruling it an abuse of court process due to a similar ongoing case filed by lawyer Festus Onifade.
The FCCPC had invited MultiChoice for an investigative hearing regarding its 1 March price review, raising concerns over anti-competitive practices and potential market dominance abuse.
The commission warned that failure to justify the price hike or adhere to fair market conduct could lead to regulatory sanctions.
MultiChoice responded by filing a suit for an injunction to stop the FCCPC from acting on its warnings, as detailed in a letter dated March 3.