The Federal Government has scheduled October 7, 2025, for the arraignment of the Chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, and the company’s Managing Director/CEO, John Ugbe, over alleged breaches of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Tuesday following a request for adjournment by counsel to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Chizenum Nsitem, who cited improper service of court documents on the defendants.
None of the defendants was present when the case was called.
The court granted the adjournment to allow for proper service and scheduled October 7 for the defendants to take their pleas.
Others listed for arraignment include MultiChoice Africa Holdings CEO, Fhulufhelo Badugela; Africa CFO, Retiel Tromp; Group Executive for Corporate Affairs, Keabetswe Modimoeng; Director, Adebusola Bello; Fuad Ogunsanya; and Head of Regulatory Affairs, Gozie Onumonu—alongside the company itself.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025 and dated May 26, MultiChoice Nigeria is named as the 1st defendant, with Ogunsanya, Ugbe, and six others as 2nd to 9th defendants.
One of the charges accuses MultiChoice Nigeria of failing “without sufficient reason” to appear before the FCCPC on March 6, despite being served a lawful summons on February 25, in violation of Section 33(3) of the FCCP Act.
Another charge alleges that the defendants impeded an FCCPC investigation by refusing to produce requested documents, contrary to Section 110 of the same Act.
The case stems from a dispute between the FCCPC and MultiChoice over a subscription price increase implemented by the company on March 1.
The commission had summoned the company’s executives, raising concerns about frequent price hikes, potential abuse of market dominance, and anti-competitive behavior in the pay-TV sector.
The FCCPC warned that failure to justify the price adjustment or comply with fair market practices could result in regulatory penalties.
MultiChoice had previously sought to halt the FCCPC’s investigation through a court order, but Justice Omotosho dismissed the suit on May 8, calling it an “abuse of court process” given a similar earlier case filed by consumer rights advocate, Festus Onifade.
