On July 29, 2024, the lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited concerning subscription fee increases was officially withdrawn, resulting in the case being closed. Barrister Festus Onifade, who initiated the legal action, decided to retract the suit against MultiChoice and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) due to concerns over potential delays in proceedings.
Initially, MultiChoice had sought a stay of proceedings, prompting the tribunal to postpone the hearing to November 2024. Onifade expressed apprehension that such delays could be exploited by MultiChoice to hinder his case and appeal any unfavorable rulings. The tribunal, presided over by Thomas Okosu, confirmed that there were no legal obstacles preventing MultiChoice from filing for a stay.
The lawsuit centered on allegations that MultiChoice had raised subscription fees for its DStv and GOtv services without providing the mandatory one-month notice to customers in April 2024. Following the price hike on May 1, 2024, Onifade accused the company of contempt of court for disregarding a prior tribunal order that restrained the price increase.
During the proceedings, MultiChoice's attorney, Moyosore J. Onibanjo, requested an adjournment citing the company's vacation period, during which only urgent matters could be addressed. Onifade countered that MultiChoice could not dictate the tribunal's schedule and rejected the proposed rescheduling.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal had previously ruled in favor of Onifade, imposing a ₦150 million fine on MultiChoice for its actions and requiring the company to offer a one-month free subscription to Nigerian users. Following Onifade's withdrawal, the tribunal accepted his request, effectively concluding the case marked CCPT/OP/2/2024.