Court Restrains DStv from Tariff Hikes

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained Multi- Choice Nigeria Limited, operators of Digital Satellite Television, popularly known as DStv, from implementing its new rates and increase in tariffs payable by its subscribers across board.

The restraining order was given by Justice C.J. Aneke, sequel to a suit filed by two Lagos-based legal practitioners, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji.

In the class action suit, with number FHC/L/ CS/404/2015, Aneke granted the interim orders till the hearing of the Motion on Notice for injunction on April 16.

He also ordered for the suit and the interim injunction to be published in national newspapers. Adebayo and Adeniji are challenging the arbitrary increase in tariffs.

The legal practitioners urged the court to order the second defendant, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)  to also implement Pay Per View, PPV, where subscribers choose the programmes they want and pay as they watch, which is being implemented in other parts of the world.

In the order given Aneke ruled: “That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted to the parties to maintain the status quo restraining the 1st defendant (MultiChoice/DStv) from giving effect or enforcing its planned increase in cost of different classes of viewing or programmes bouquet, pending hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“That an order is hereby granted certifying the plaintiffs’ claim as a class action for themselves as individual subscribers, other corporate subscribers, distributors and retailers of the 1st defendants’ services.