Court Orders MultiChoice to Pay ₦5 Million to Subscriber for Wrongful Disconnection

A Lagos High Court has ordered MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, operators of DStv and GOtv, to pay ₦5 million in general damages to a subscriber, Ben Onuora, for the wrongful and willful disconnection of his active television subscription.

Delivering judgment on September 30, 2025, Justice Razak Olukolu ruled that the company’s actions were “wrongful and without lawful cause,” condemning its conduct as an unjustifiable breach of the claimant’s consumer rights.

The case, numbered LD/ADR/2297/2019, was instituted in 2019 by Onuora, who is also the Obi of Okwudor in Imo State. The monarch had sought ₦20 million in compensation, alleging repeated service disruptions despite valid payments, which he said caused distress and inconvenience to his household.

In his verdict, Justice Olukolu held that MultiChoice violated multiple consumer protection laws, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, the Abuse of Dominance Regulations 2022, and Section 13 of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law 2015, which collectively safeguard consumers against unfair commercial practices.

The court consequently awarded ₦5 million in general damages, with interest at 10 percent per annum until the judgment sum is fully paid. It also ordered MultiChoice to immediately reconnect the claimant’s subscription and extend his viewing period to compensate for the duration of the wrongful disconnection. However, the court declined the claimant’s request for legal costs.

Reacting to the judgment, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) commended the court’s decision, describing it as a landmark victory for consumer rights in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, on behalf of Dr. Tunji Bello, the FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the commission hailed the judgment as a “landmark affirmation of the FCCPA’s power to protect consumers and hold corporations accountable.”

The FCCPC referenced a similar case in Enugu State where a High Court declared the “no refund” policy of Peace Mass Transit illegal, ordering the company to pay ₦500,000 in damages to a passenger, Patrick Chukwuma, who was denied a refund after a delayed trip (Suit No. E/514/2021).

According to the commission, these judicial outcomes reinforce the effectiveness of Nigeria’s consumer protection regime under the FCCPA 2018, enabling citizens to seek redress and compelling service providers to adopt fair practices.

The FCCPC disclosed that between March and August 2025, it facilitated recoveries exceeding ₦10 billion for consumers across more than 30 sectors—an achievement it described as evidence of the growing impact of regulatory enforcement in Nigeria.

Dr. Bello praised the judiciary for consistently supporting the FCCPC’s mandate through firm rulings against exploitative practices. He warned that “violations of consumer rights now carry real and enforceable consequences” and urged Nigerians to continue reporting unfair business practices through the FCCPC’s complaint channels nationwide.