(DDM) – The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially withdrawn its criminal case against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and several of its senior executives after both parties reached a mutual settlement, effectively ending months of legal confrontation between the regulator and the country’s leading pay-TV operator.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the withdrawal took place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who subsequently struck out the case following a formal notice of discontinuance filed by the FCCPC’s legal team.
FCCPC counsel, Daniel Amadi, told the court that the commission was no longer pursuing the charges, citing an out-of-court resolution that addressed the regulator’s concerns.
“The matter is for hearing, but we have filed a notice of withdrawal on August 16. Parties have settled, and we agree to withdraw this suit,” Amadi announced.
In response, MultiChoice’s lawyer, Rolake Akingbola, confirmed the settlement and raised no objections, prompting Justice Omotosho to formally strike out the case.
The withdrawn case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, accused MultiChoice of violating Sections 33(3) and 110 of the FCCPC Act, 2018, which pertain to failure to comply with regulatory summons and obstruction of investigation.
Those listed as defendants included top executives such as Adewunmi Ogunsanya (Chairman), John Ugbe (CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria), Fhulufhelo Badugela (CEO of MultiChoice Africa Holdings), Retiel Tromp (Chief Financial Officer, Africa), and Keabetswe Modimoeng (Group Executive for Corporate Affairs), alongside Adebusola Bello, Fuad Ogunsanya, Gozie Onumonu, and the company itself.
The FCCPC had accused the company of refusing to appear before the commission on March 6, 2025, despite being lawfully summoned on February 25, an act deemed to violate regulatory obligations. The regulator also claimed that some company executives failed to submit documents requested during a probe into MultiChoice’s recent subscription price increases.
The case originated from an FCCPC investigation into the March 1, 2025, price hike on MultiChoice’s DStv and GOtv packages, which drew widespread criticism from Nigerian consumers and civil society groups. The commission alleged that the increases amounted to anti-competitive conduct and potential market dominance abuse in violation of consumer protection laws.
MultiChoice, however, maintained that the price adjustment reflected economic realities, including foreign exchange volatility, operational costs, and inflationary pressures. The company also argued that the FCCPC’s actions represented regulatory overreach, filing a counter-suit to restrain the commission from enforcing administrative sanctions.
Justice Omotosho had earlier dismissed MultiChoice’s suit on May 8, 2025, describing it as an abuse of court process because a similar case, filed by consumer rights advocate Festus Onifade, was already pending.
That ruling paved the way for the continuation of FCCPC’s criminal case before the latest resolution.
Following the dismissal, both parties reportedly engaged in closed-door negotiations facilitated by senior legal advisers and officials from the Ministry of Justice, leading to a mutually agreed settlement that prioritized consumer interests while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Sources familiar with the talks told DDM that the agreement may include MultiChoice’s commitment to enhance consumer transparency, submit periodic compliance reports, and collaborate more closely with the FCCPC on issues relating to subscription pricing and service delivery.
The FCCPC, led by Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, has been actively enforcing stricter compliance measures in sectors where consumers have faced exploitative pricing or poor service delivery, including telecommunications, banking, and digital media.
This settlement, analysts say, marks an important shift from regulatory confrontation toward negotiated corporate accountability.
“Settlements like this signal a maturing regulatory environment where dialogue replaces litigation,” said Dr. Tunde Adeyemi, a public policy analyst, speaking to DDM. “The goal should not only be punishment but also ensuring fair competition and better consumer protection.”
Justice Omotosho’s ruling formally struck out the seven-count charge, signaling an official end to the dispute and allowing both parties to reset relations.
Industry observers believe the development could pave the way for the FCCPC and MultiChoice to develop a more collaborative regulatory partnership, especially as Nigeria continues to strengthen consumer protection mechanisms within its digital economy.
MultiChoice has yet to issue a detailed public statement, but insiders say the company has reaffirmed its commitment to operating within Nigerian laws, maintaining transparency, and ensuring continuous service improvement for millions of its subscribers.
Meanwhile, FCCPC sources told DDM that the commission would continue to monitor compliance with the terms of settlement, stressing that while the case has been withdrawn, corporate accountability remains non-negotiable.
The development effectively closes one of the most high-profile regulatory battles of 2025, underscoring the balance between consumer rights enforcement and corporate engagement in Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.
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