A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has ordered MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, operators of DStv, to pay ₦3 million in damages and legal costs to a lawyer, David Ogundipe, for breach of contract over a disrupted live football broadcast.
The ruling followed a lawsuit filed after Ogundipe experienced more than 10 minutes of transmission failure while watching a UEFA Europa League match between Manchester United and Rangers on January 23, 2025. He argued that the interruption denied him the uninterrupted viewing experience promised under his subscription and in the company’s advertisements.
Ogundipe told the court that he subscribed to DStv in 2024 based on assurances of seamless live sports coverage. He claimed that the service failure during the match amounted to a breach of contract, false representation, and unfair business practice under Nigeria’s consumer protection laws.
He further asked the court for declarations that he was entitled to uninterrupted service, as well as significant damages, including over ₦100 million in general claims and additional compensation for losses he said resulted from the disruption.
In its judgment, the court agreed that MultiChoice failed in its contractual duty to provide uninterrupted service during the match and held that the claimant’s rights as a subscriber had been breached.
Justice N.C. Ndukwe-Nwabulu awarded ₦1.5 million as general damages and ₦1.5 million as the cost of the suit, bringing the total to ₦3 million. The court also granted a 10% annual post-judgment interest until full payment is made.
The judge cited provisions of Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) as well as previous Supreme Court decisions in support of the ruling.
Reacting to the judgment, Ogundipe described it as a victory for Nigerian consumers, saying it reinforces the responsibility of service providers to honour their advertising promises and contractual obligations.
The case has been widely viewed as a significant consumer rights ruling, particularly regarding subscription-based broadcasting services and service delivery expectations.
