Court Reserves N5.4 Billion Contract Judgment Between Macobarb, NLNG

A High Court in Port Harcourt, under trial Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, has scheduled July 16, 2025, to deliver judgment in a N5.4 billion breach of contract case between Macobarb International Limited and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

The dispute centers on whether NLNG validly terminated the contract and whether Macobarb is entitled to the claimed amount. Macobarb alleges that NLNG breached the contract terms, leading to significant costs, while NLNG argues that the termination was legitimate and done by the rightful party.

During the June 24, 2025, hearing, Macobarb’s lead counsel, Benefit Vilokpo, argued that the contract’s terms were breached by NLNG, entitling Macobarb to standby payments.

Vilokpo emphasized that the contract’s close-out meeting minutes, signed by all attendees, indicated that the contract was yet to be concluded.

NLNG’s lead counsel, Prof Bayo Aderelegbe, countered that the termination was valid and that Macobarb’s claims are baseless. Aderelegbe urged the court to dismiss the claim, citing that the contract provided a lumpsum amount, which Macobarb’s claim exceeds.

The judge will determine whether the Performance Bond was crucial to the contract and if the right person carried out the termination. The court’s decision will likely have significant implications for both parties involved.