A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja has intervened to stop Multi-choice Nigeria Limited from implementing its planned tariff hike and price adjustments set to begin on May 1.
The three-member tribunal, led by Saratu Shafii, issued the interim order on Monday after an ex-parte motion was presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, representing the applicant, Festus Onifade.
In a ruling, the tribunal restrained multi-choice from proceeding with the impending price increase scheduled to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Furthermore, she instructed all concerned parties to attend a hearing scheduled for May 7 at 10 a.m. to address the motion on notice.
The petitioner, Festus Onifade, took legal action against Multi-choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In the filed suit on April 29, Onifade sought two specific orders.
These include, “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”