FCCPC Withdraws Criminal Charges Against MultiChoice After Out-of-Court Settlement

In a dramatic turn, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has formally withdrawn all criminal charges against MultiChoice Nigeria, its CEO John Ugbe, and several top executives following a negotiated settlement. The withdrawal was confirmed in court on October 7, 2025, before Justice James Omotosho, who struck out the case after the defence raised no objections.

The original legal action stemmed from FCCPC’s allegations that in March 2025, MultiChoice had unlawfully raised subscription prices for DStv and GOtv, defying orders from the commission to maintain existing rates pending review. The regulator charged the company under the FCCPC Act, 2018 with obstructing its inquiry and failing to appear before investigators.

Despite the high stakes, the two parties entered into negotiations over several weeks. In court, FCCPC’s counsel, Daniel Amadi, presented a notice of withdrawal dated August 16, stating that all disputes had been resolved. The defence, led by Rolake Akingbola, did not oppose the withdrawal. With that, the charges—numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025—were dismissed, formally closing the legal chapter.

While the settlement ends immediate criminal exposure for MultiChoice and its executives, the underlying issues remain relevant. Observers now watch whether MultiChoice will commit to greater pricing transparency, stronger regulatory cooperation, and sustained compliance in the pay-TV sector. At the same time, FCCPC’s choice to withdraw—rather than litigate fully—signals a preference for negotiated resolution over protracted court battles in high-profile consumer disputes.