The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially withdrawn all charges filed against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, and several company directors, marking the end of a months-long legal standoff between the regulator and the pay-TV operator.
The charges, previously lodged before the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, accused MultiChoice of allegedly impeding an FCCPC investigation by failing to comply with lawful summons and withholding requested documents. However, in a surprising twist during Tuesday’s court session, the Commission’s counsel, Daniel Amadi, informed Justice James Omotosho that both parties had reached a settlement.
“Parties have settled, and we agree to withdraw this suit,” Amadi told the court.
MultiChoice’s legal counsel, Rolake Akingbola, did not oppose the motion, paving the way for Justice Omotosho to strike out the charge.
The decision effectively clears the company and its executives of any criminal allegations relating to the Commission’s earlier probe into price adjustments for DStv and GOtv subscription packages.
Background of the Case
The FCCPC had alleged that MultiChoice and its top executives, including John Ugbe, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, and Gozie Onumonu, failed to honour a lawful summons issued on February 25, 2025, requiring them to appear before the Commission on March 6, 2025.
The summons sought explanations and documentation related to the company’s recurring subscription price hikes and potential anti-competitive practices in Nigeria’s pay-TV market.
According to the FCCPC, the refusal to attend or produce the required documents constituted an offence under Section 3 of the FCCPC Act, 2018. The Commission further claimed that MultiChoice’s actions amounted to obstruction of a lawful investigation.
Earlier in May 2025, the same court dismissed a separate suit filed by MultiChoice seeking to validate its subscription price increases. Justice Omotosho, in that ruling, described the suit as an “abuse of court process.”
The Turning Point
After several adjournments and legal back-and-forth, the FCCPC submitted a notice of withdrawal dated August 16, 2025, formally ending its pursuit of the case.
The Commission’s decision followed a negotiated resolution with MultiChoice, signaling a potential reset in the company’s relationship with the regulator.
Justice Omotosho, while striking out the case, emphasized that the withdrawal marked a complete termination of the alleged criminal proceedings against the company and its leadership.
Implications for MultiChoice and Nigeria’s Pay-TV Sector
The withdrawal brings relief to MultiChoice, whose reputation had come under public scrutiny amid the FCCPC’s allegations of market dominance and lack of transparency. Industry analysts suggest the development could stabilize investor confidence in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector, which has faced repeated tensions over pricing and regulatory oversight.
The FCCPC, on its part, may now redirect its focus toward ensuring fair competition and consumer protection through policy engagement rather than litigation.
As of press time, neither the FCCPC nor MultiChoice Nigeria has released an official joint statement on the terms of the settlement.
The FCCPC has withdrawn its legal charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and CEO John Ugbe after both parties reached an amicable settlement. The decision ends a long-running dispute over alleged non-compliance and investigation obstruction.
