Multichoice Nigeria said on Friday that it will appeal the ruling of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal.
A three-man panel chaired by Justice Thomas Okosu earlier fined the company N150 million for challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
The tribunal also ordered the company to provide Nigerians with a one-month free subscription on its platforms DStv and GOtv for disregarding its order restraining the pay TV company from increasing its monthly subscription pending the determination of the suit brought before it.
In April, the tribunal ordered Multichoice not to increase its subscription fees without proper notice, following a lawsuit filed by a lawyer Festus Onifade.
The lawyer contended that the eight-day notice given for the price increase was inadequate.
Onifade insisted the length of notice was inadequate and more pressing than the price hike itself, prompting the tribunal to affirm its jurisdiction and ruling against Multichoice.
Reacting to the ruling, Multichoice Nigeria said it disagrees with the ruling and will file an appeal against it.
The company’s statement read: “MultiChoice Nigeria is aware of the recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, CCPT, regarding its jurisdiction to entertain a price regulation matter.
“We disagree with the ruling, and will therefore file an appeal against said ruling.
“As the matter is currently sub judice, we are restrained from making further comments.”
