NLNG vs Macobarb case: Going to jail is part of the job – Newsmen tell Judge that is threatening journalists
Credit: Mr. Ignatius Chukwu:
WHAT DID PH JOURNALISTS DO JUSTICE CHINWENDU NWOGU?
Journalists in PH have related cordially with judges in Rivers State including Justice C. Nwogu of the High Court at C-Block. Suddenly, he grew upset with newsmen. He is the one handling a sensational case where NLNG is being pressed by an indigenous contractor, Macobarb Ltd, to pay N5.74bn after contract cancellation crisis. Macobarb claims that some officials in NLNG masterminded the stalling of a contract he was executing and that the consequences from ‘standdown times’ forced his workers and items to remain on site to date, thus accruing huge sums. NLNG is challenging the claim. Justice C. Nwogu is overseeing the matter.
How this has become a problem with the media is what baffles everyone. Last hearing, he ordered the phone and notepad of a female journalist seized. After some lawyers pleaded, he released only the phone after court officials were sure the journalist did not do any recording.
Today, May 30, 2025, before he began hearing in the cases listed, he spoke angrily, accusing journalists of writing fake news. He did not point out any fake report emanating from his court or on the NLNG case. He spoke for long, and said: ‘If you like call it a threat”. He talked about setting trap and how he was prepared to throw anybody into jail.
Journalists were surprised because the Rivers State Judiciary has been friendly with the Press. Most judges and counsels show gladness when Reporters show up, except lawyers that have ugly cases. What is wrong in this matter or this case? Yes, NLNG lawyers have been shouting at journalists outside the court most times, but newsmen have remained undaunted because they believe it’s their duty.
Journalists even obeyed the rule by going to the Clerk to report their presence and assured non-recording. They could not even secure permission to take notes. They could only sit like zombie like other members of the public to listen to any case of their interest. What then is the offence of newsmen?
Journalists have also been meticulous in reporting the NLNG vs Macobarb case, by sticking to all the rules of court reporting especially not to write anything that was not said in open court. Where did fake news come in? What other rule should journalists comply with? What is their offence, for God’s sake.
Well, newsmen resolved after the session to go ahead and do their job within the rules of court reporting. After all, to them, going to jail is part of the job.
Tanx
