The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Tuesday withdrew the criminal charge filed against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its top officers after parties resolved their differences.
FCCPC’s lawyer, Daniel Amadi, told the Federal High Court shortly after the matter was called for arraignment of the defendants.
He said the commission filed notice of withdrawal on August 16.
Amadi said: “Parties have settled and we agree to withdraw this suit,” he told the court.”
The defence counsel, Rolake Akingbola, did not oppose the application and Justice James Omotosho subsequently struck out the charge.
The judge had on June 24, fixed Tuesday for the arraignment of the company and its senior officials for alleged breach of FCCPC Act, 2018.
Listed as defendants in the case are the MultiChoice of Nigeria Limited Chairman, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, and the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe.
Others are CEO of MultiChoice Africa Holdings, Fhulufhelo Badugela, Chief Financial Officer, Africa; Retiel Tromp, and Group Executive for Corporate Affairs, Keabetswe Modimoeng.
The rest are a director, Adebusola Bello; Fuad Ogunsanya; Gozie Onumonu, who is the Head Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations, and the company itself.
MultiChoice, the operator of DStv and Gotv, had a few months ago increased the subscription rates on its packages despite an invitation by FCCPC to explain the price hike
