The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria, the owners of DStv and GOtv, over its recent increase in subscription rates.

In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at FCCPC, the commission disclosed that MultiChoice Nigeria has been directed to appear before it to justify the price adjustment set to take effect on March 1, 2025.

“The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria to explain its proposed subscription price increase, which is scheduled to be implemented from March 1, 2025,” the statement read.

Citing its authority under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC mandated the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an investigative hearing at its headquarters on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

The commission expressed concerns over potential market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices, emphasizing that the frequent, unilateral price hikes by MultiChoice may not align with fair market principles.

It read, “This action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.

“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases, amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, raising questions about fairness and possible exploitation.”

The commission further warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation for the price hike could result in regulatory sanctions and penalties against MultiChoice.

“Should MultiChoice fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be found in violation of fair market principles, the FCCPC will be left with no option but to impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers,” it said.

The FCCPC also noted that it is working with other regulatory bodies to ensure fair competition and consumer protection in the pay-TV and digital subscription industry.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that MultiChoice Nigeria announced an upward revision of its DStv and GOtv subscription rates, citing rising operational costs due to economic conditions.

The new rates, effective Saturday, March 1, 2025, reflect significant increases across all packages: – DStv: Premium – N44,500, Compact+ – N30,000, Compact – N19,000, Confam – N11,000, Yanga – N6,000, Padi – N4,400. – GOtv: Supa Plus – N16,800, Supa – N11,400, Max – N8,500, Jolli – N5,800, Jinja – N3,900, Smallie – N1,900.

In a statement to partners, MultiChoice explained its decision, attributing it to economic realities and increased operational costs.

“Due to prevalent economic factors leading to increased operational costs, we have unavoidably had to adjust the prices of our DStv and GOtv subscription packages,” it said.

“We understand the impact this change may have on our valued partners, and we have only taken this step after careful consideration and in-depth analysis.”

MultiChoice Nigeria is a subsidiary of the MultiChoice Group, a leading provider of digital satellite and terrestrial television services across Africa.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated legal proceedings against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging defamation following a contentious exchange regarding her legislative role. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, with Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, named as defendants.

In the suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan, represented by her attorney Victor Giwa, claims that a Facebook post by Patrick, under Akpabio’s direction, contained derogatory remarks about her. The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” included statements suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan equates being a lawmaker with superficial appearances.

Giwa argues that these comments were not only defamatory but also designed to provoke and disparage Akpoti-Uduaghan, damaging her reputation among her peers and the public. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the statements made by Patrick, at the behest of Akpabio, were defamatory and intended to incite public disdain toward her.

In addition to seeking a public apology, Akpoti-Uduaghan is requesting a permanent injunction to prevent the defendants from making any further defamatory statements about her. She is also demanding ₦100 billion in damages and ₦300 million to cover litigation costs.

The case highlights the ongoing tensions within the Nigerian Senate and raises questions about the conduct of public officials in their interactions with one another.

While specific details of the allegations remain under wraps, sources indicate that Senator Natasha claims to have endured years of sexual harassment at the hands of the Senate President. The lawsuit seeks substantial damages for emotional distress, reputational harm, and other related grievances, marking a significant moment in the fight against sexual misconduct in political spheres.

As the legal proceedings unfold in the FCT High Court, the media and the public will be closely monitoring the developments of this historic case. Legal experts and political analysts are weighing in on the implications of the lawsuit, emphasizing its potential to influence future policies and attitudes towards sexual harassment in Nigeria’s political institutions.

By John Audu.
Senators on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence in the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, over his leadership style.

The red chamber also reviewed the issue that led to a rowdy session last week and asked its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, to investigate the matter.

The resolutions of the upper chamber followed a point of order, bordering on privileges moved by the Senate Spokesperson, Adeyemi Adaramodu, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Adaramodu had, in his point of order, drew the attention of his colleagues to the action of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Thursday, last week, when she caused a rowdy session during plenary while protesting the sudden change of her seat without her knowledge.

He noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan erred by raising her voice while protesting the rearrangement of seats in the red chamber thereby creating a wrong impression which the mainstream and social media commentators had been feasting upon since then.

The Leader of the Senate, in his contribution, moved a motion that his colleagues should support the actions of the Senate President since the issues started last week, which was promptly done.

He also moved another motion for the matter to be referred to the Committee on Ethics, and Privileges which was massively voted for.

Details later…

Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu has asked Nigeria’s former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, IBB to write a second edition of his autobiography, JOURNEY IN SERVICE and mention the names of those, who stopped him from declaring Moshood Abiola winner of the June 12 Presidential , 1993 election.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Kalu said IBB should
name the accomplices to his second in command, late General Sani Abacha and the Chairman of National Election Commission, Humphrey Nwosu so that Nigerians will know the role they all played so that it would not look as if he lied.

For the first time in 32 years , IBB admits in his autobiography now highly debated book that MKO Abiola , candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP won the annulled election.

OBSERVERS TIMES recalled reports that Kalu also asked President Bola Tinubu to swear MKO in posthumously and his picture was allowed to hang in the hall of fame of former Presidents of the country.

The former Governor of Abia State said he’s glad that Babangida’s book has finally cleared the misconception that the 1966 coup is an Igbo coup but rather a Nigerian coup , coordinated and executed by the military but erroneously blamed on Igbos in the country.

In the race for 2027, Kalu said his party APC is not shopping for any other candidate, apart from the sitting President, Bola Tinubu who he said he has no doubt will win a second term.

He commended Tinubu for ignoring IMF and World Bank recommendations, instead opting for homegrown policies that address local economic issues.