John Ugbe, other top MultiChoice executives set to be arraigned, see reason
John Ugbe and other MultiChoice executives set to be arraigned by the FCCPC.
The Federal Government, through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has fixed October 7, 2025, for the arraignment of the Chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, and the Managing Director, John Ugbe, over allegations of violating provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
The date was set by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court following an application for adjournment by the FCCPC’s counsel, Chizenum Nsitem, due to the defendants’ absence in court. According to Nsitem, the accused parties cited improper service of court documents—including the hearing notice—as the reason for their non-appearance.
In response, Justice Omotosho granted the request for an adjournment, allowing the prosecuting team time to properly serve the court summons. The case was consequently postponed until October 7, 2025, when the defendants are expected to formally enter their pleas.
Also scheduled to be arraigned alongside the chairman and managing director are six other top officials of the pay-TV company. They include Fhulufhelo Badugela, CEO of MultiChoice Africa Holdings; Retiel Tromp, Chief Financial Officer for Africa; and Keabetswe Modimoeng, Group Executive for Corporate Affairs. Others are Adebusola Bello, a director; Fuad Ogunsanya; and Gozie Onumonu, the Head of Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations. MultiChoice Nigeria itself is listed as the first defendant in the case.
The FCCPC’s charge sheet outlines seven counts against the nine defendants. In the first count, MultiChoice Nigeria is accused of failing to appear before the commission at its Asokoro office in Abuja on March 6, despite being served a lawful summons on February 25. This, the commission said, violates Section 33(3) of the FCCPC Act.
Another notable charge accuses the company’s leadership—including Ogunsanya, Ugbe, and others—of deliberately obstructing an FCCPC investigation by refusing to provide documents requested by the regulatory body. That particular offence allegedly contravenes Section 110 of the Act.
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The case is unfolding against the backdrop of a recent subscription price increase by MultiChoice, operators of DStv and GOtv, which triggered consumer outrage and regulatory scrutiny. In response to the price hike announced on March 1, the FCCPC summoned the company’s executives to an investigative hearing, raising concerns about market dominance, consumer exploitation, and anti-competitive practices.
The company, however, filed a legal challenge seeking an injunction to stop the FCCPC from taking any administrative actions. But Justice Omotosho dismissed the suit, describing it as an abuse of court process—particularly because a similar case involving consumer rights advocate Festus Onifade had already been filed with the same parties.
The FCCPC maintains that companies in dominant market positions must justify price adjustments and abide by consumer protection laws. The agency has warned that failure to provide reasonable explanations or cooperate with its directives will result in sanctions.
With October 7 now set as the arraignment date, the court proceedings will mark a significant chapter in the regulatory clampdown on monopolistic behavior in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector. Consumers, industry watchers, and legal observers are closely watching the case as it could set important precedents for corporate accountability and consumer rights enforcement in Nigeria.
