The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has fined prominent Pay-TV operator Multichoice Nigeria, the owner of DSTV and GOTV, ₦150 million for disputing the court’s jurisdiction. Additionally, the company has been ordered to provide Nigerians with a one-month free subscription.

The verdict was delivered on Friday by a three-man panel led by Thomas Okusu.

Previously, the tribunal had prohibited Multichoice from raising subscription fees without proper notice. This ruling was based on a lawsuit by Barrister Festus Onifade, who argued that the eight-day notice given for the price increase was insufficient. Onifade accused DSTV of unjustly increasing subscription fees without providing customers with a one-month notice, seeking interim orders as a result.

Multichoice's counsel argued that previous rulings had settled issues regarding price regulation, while Onifade's focus on the inadequate notice led the tribunal to affirm its jurisdiction and rule against Multichoice. The court has scheduled a hearing for the plaintiff’s substantive suit on July 3.