Multichoice Nigeria, owners of DStv and GOtv, says it has filed an appeal and stay of execution following an interim court order from the Federal High Court directing the company to stop the hike in its subscription rates.

The company, in a statement on Sunday, said the Consumer Protection Council had also been joined in the suit.

The cable company described the order, restraining it from effecting price changes, as a slight on the free market economy.

As such, it said the price changes still applied.

The statement read, “We believe that the order is an affront to the free market economy and we have now filed a Notice of Appeal and an application for stay of execution, pending the hearing of the appeal. The CPC has been accordingly served with the requisite processes.

“In light of the application for a stay of execution, the status quo therefore prevails.

“MultiChoice Nigeria will always operate within the ambit of the law and will continue with the authorities to ensure the best outcome for our customers. We remain committed to providing the best quality of entertainment and premium content at the best possible prices.”

The company had initiated a price adjustment, which took effect on August 1, 2018 and saw an upward review of all the five DStvbouquets.

Premium subscribers now pay N15, 800 instead of the former rate of N14, 700, a difference of N1, 100; while Compact Plus subscribers now pay N10, 650 instead of N9, 900. Compact subscription rose to N6, 800 from N6, 300, while the two lowest packages, Family and Access, which used to be N3, 800 and N1, 900 respectively, are now N4, 000 and N2,000 respectively.

After the new fees were effected, a Federal High Court in Abuja, on August 21, stopped MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from executing the increase in DStv subscription fees.

The order was made in reference to Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/894/18 presented before the court by the CPC.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba granted an interim injunction stopping the entertainment company, or its agents and representatives, from continuing the implementation of any increase in subscription rates or price review policy imposing increased charges and costs on the consumers pending the determination of the motion on notice. – Punch

– Aug. 27, 2018 @ 9:29 GMT |