Lagos Court Orders MultiChoice to Pay ₦5 Million for Wrongful DStv Disconnection

Nigerians React as Company Loses Over 243,000 DStv and GOtv Subscribers

In a major victory for consumer rights in Nigeria, a Lagos High Court has ordered MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the operator of DStv and GOtv, to pay ₦5 million in general damages to a subscriber, Ben Onuora, over the wrongful and willful disconnection of his active television subscription. The court’s decision, delivered on September 30, 2025, by Justice Razak Olukolu, is being hailed as a landmark ruling that reinforces the rights of Nigerian consumers against unfair commercial practices by dominant service providers.

The Court’s Verdict: MultiChoice Acted Without Just Cause
Justice Olukolu, in his ruling, held that MultiChoice acted unjustifiably in disrupting the television service of the claimant despite having clear evidence of valid payment. The court described the company’s actions as “wrongful and without lawful cause.”
The case, LD/ADR/2297/2019, was filed in 2019 by Ben Onuora, who is also the Obi of Okwudor in Imo State. Onuora sought ₦20 million in compensation for what he called repeated and distressing service interruptions that caused significant inconvenience and emotional distress to his family.
According to court documents, Onuora had consistently paid his subscription fees but suffered multiple disconnections by MultiChoice without explanation or justification. Despite several complaints and attempts to resolve the matter, the issue persisted, forcing him to seek legal redress.

Legal Breach and Consumer Protection Laws Invoked
In his judgment, Justice Olukolu found that MultiChoice violated several key provisions of Nigeria’s consumer protection framework, 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.

These laws collectively protect consumers from unfair, exploitative, and monopolistic practices by companies with significant market dominance. The court determined that MultiChoice’s conduct breached these provisions, showing disregard for the rights of paying customers.

Consequently, the court ordered the company to:
1. Pay ₦5 million in general damages to the claimant, with 10% annual interest until full payment is made.
2. Immediately reconnect and restore the claimant’s DStv subscription.

3. Extend his viewing period to compensate for the duration of wrongful disconnection.

However, Justice Olukolu declined the claimant’s request for the reimbursement of legal costs.

FCCPC Commends the Ruling as a Landmark Victory for Consumers
Following the judgment, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) applauded the decision, describing it as a landmark victory for Nigerian consumers.
In a statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, on behalf of Tunji Bello, the FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the commission emphasized that the judgment affirmed the power of the FCCPA 2018 to protect consumer rights and promote fair business practices.

“This judgment is a landmark affirmation of the FCCPA’s power to protect consumers. It reinforces the growing culture of accountability within Nigeria’s service industry,” the FCCPC said.

The Commission also cited a related court decision in Enugu State, where the High Court declared the “no refund” policy of Peace Mass Transit illegal. In that case (E/514/2021), Justice C.O. Ajah ordered the transport company to pay ₦500,000 in damages to a passenger, Patrick Chukwuma, who was denied a refund following a delayed trip. According to the FCCPC, both rulings reflect a growing judicial commitment to enforcing consumer protection laws and ensuring that service providers treat customers fairly.

FCCPC Highlights ₦10 Billion Consumer Recovery in 2025
The FCCPC revealed that between March and August 2025, it facilitated recoveries exceeding ₦10 billion for consumers across 30 different sectors, including telecommunications, transport, finance, and digital services. The commission said this milestone reflects the increasing effectiveness of Nigeria’s consumer protection system and the willingness of citizens to demand accountability through legal and regulatory channels. Tunji Bello, the FCCPC boss, praised Nigerian courts for consistently supporting the commission’s mandate, noting that enforcement of consumer rights is now gaining real traction.

“Violations of consumer rights now carry real and enforceable consequences,” Bello stated. “We encourage Nigerians to continue reporting unfair business practices through our complaint portal, email, or offices nationwide.”

Following the court ruling, many Nigerians took to social media platforms to express mixed reactions. While some hailed the decision as a victory for fairness, others used the opportunity to criticize MultiChoice over its recent subscriber losses and alleged poor service delivery.
Data from recent reports show that MultiChoice lost over 243,000 DStv and GOtv subscribers across Africa between April and September 2025, with Nigeria accounting for a significant portion of that decline. Industry analysts link the drop to rising subscription fees, poor customer service, and increased competition from streaming platforms like Netflix, Showmax, and Amazon Prime Video.
A Lagos-based customer, commenting on X (formerly Twitter), wrote:

“MultiChoice has been taking customers for granted for years. It’s good to see a court finally holding them accountable.”

Another user added:

“Maybe this judgment will make them sit up. Nigerians pay a lot for DStv, and yet the service quality keeps dropping.”

Why the Ruling Matters
Legal experts and consumer rights advocates say the ruling sets a powerful precedent for other Nigerians who experience unfair treatment from service providers. It proves that subscribers have legal grounds to challenge unjust actions and seek compensation through the courts.
According to Barrister Chidi Nwokedi, a consumer rights lawyer based in Abuja:

“This judgment is a big win. It demonstrates that the law protects consumers even against big corporations. More Nigerians should be aware of their rights under the FCCPA and not hesitate to take action.”

He noted that while ₦5 million may not be a huge penalty for a company like MultiChoice, the reputational damage and public backlash could push the company to reform its customer service policies.
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Conclusion
The Lagos High Court’s ruling against MultiChoice Nigeria marks an important step forward for consumer protection and corporate accountability in the country. It underscores that no company, regardless of its market dominance, is above the law. With the FCCPC actively enforcing regulations and the judiciary increasingly siding with consumers, Nigerian customers are now more empowered than ever to demand fair, transparent, and responsible service delivery. As public awareness grows, service providers across all sectors; telecommunications, transport, and digital media, may have no choice but to improve their practices or face similar legal consequences.

By PrimeLineInfo