A Justice of the federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos, C J
Aneke, has granted an order of interim injunction restraining Multichoice from
enforcing its planned increase in cost of the different classes of viewing of
its pay TV, DSTV.
MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GOtv, had announced a 20
percent price increase for all its satellite pay TV bouquets in Nigeria to take
effect from April 1, 2015. According to them, the annual price increase,
usually in-line with inflation, is necessary for it to continue offering the
best in local and international entertainment to its subscribers.
The judge asked parties to maintain status quo in support of
the motion ex parte with an affidavit of urgency sworn to by the plaintiff. The
order read in part:
“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 the different classes of viewing or
programmes bouquet, pending the 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.
“That an order is
hereby granted restraining any other person whether individual or corporate
from instituting any other action as may be related to the action against the
defendant to prevent multiplicity of lawsuits pursuant to the appointment of
the plaintiffs in the class action but may instead opt in or out of this
action”.
The suit, filed by Adebayo Osasuyi and Oluyinka Oyeniji,
DSTV subscribers/customers, at the federal high court registry Ikoyi, Lagos was
adjourned to the 16th April 2015 for hearing.
-Lailas
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