A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 7, 2025, for the arraignment of Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, and the company’s CEO, John Ugbe, over alleged violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after the counsel representing the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Chizenum Nsitem, requested an adjournment due to the absence of the defendants, reportedly caused by improper service of court documents.
Alongside Ogunsanya and Ugbe, six other top officials of the pay-TV giant are also expected to be arraigned. They include MultiChoice Africa Holdings CEO Fhulufhelo Badugela, CFO Retiel Tromp, Group Executive for Corporate Affairs Keabetswe Modimoeng, director Adebusola Bello, Fuad Ogunsanya, Head of Regulatory Affairs Gozie Onumonu, and MultiChoice Nigeria Limited as a corporate entity.
The charges, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, consist of seven counts. In one charge, the company is accused of failing to comply with a lawful summons issued by the FCCPC on February 25 to appear before the commission on March 6. Another count alleges that Ogunsanya, Ugbe, and others obstructed an investigation by refusing to produce requested documents.
The case stems from a recent hike in DStv and GOtv subscription rates, which prompted the FCCPC to summon MultiChoice for an investigative hearing on February 27. The commission raised concerns over market dominance and anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV sector.
In response, MultiChoice filed a suit seeking to prevent the FCCPC from taking administrative action. However, on May 8, Justice Omotosho dismissed the suit, describing it as an abuse of court process, given that a similar case involving the same parties was already pending.
The FCCPC has warned that failure by MultiChoice to justify its price increases or adhere to competitive market standards may lead to regulatory sanctions
