Court Orders Multichoice to Suspend Increase in Dstv Subscription Fees

Multichoice, owners of DSTV and GOtv announced a 20 percent increase for all its sattelite Pay TV bouquets in Nigeria to take effect from April 1,2015. According to them, the annual price increase is necessary for it to continue delivering the best of local and international entertainment to its customers. A justice of federal high Court sitting in Lagos,Justice C.J. Aneke, has granted an order of interim restraining Multichoice, operators of DStv, from implementing its new rates and increase in tariffs payable by its subscribers across the country. The Suit was filed by Adebayo Osasuyi and Oluyinka Oyeniji, DSTV subscribers, at the federal high court registry Ikoyi, Lagos. The case has been adjourned to the 16th of April 2015.

“That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted to the parties to maintain the status quo restraining the 1st defendant (Multichoice/DSTV) from giving effect or enforcing its planned increase in cost of the different classes of viewing or programmes bouquet, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
    “That an order is hereby granted certifying the plaintiffs’ claim as a class action for themselves as individual subscribers, other corporate subscribers, distributors and retailers of the 1st defendants’ services.
    “That an order is hereby granted restraining any other person whether individual or corporate from instituting any other action as may be related to the action against the defendant to prevent multiplicity of lawsuits pursuant to the appointment of the plaintiffs in the class action but may instead opt in or out of this action”.