KEITH JACKSON
THE Waigani National Court has granted an order sought by electoral commissioner Patilias ‘Tomato’ Gamato (pictured) against the celebrated Papua New Guinean writer, blogger, commentator and social justice fighter Martyn Namorong.
The order was granted by justice Collin Mikail in response to an urgent application by Gamato’s lawyer.
It sought to ban what were termed “defamatory remarks” about Gamato by Namorong.
It was reported the case arose “from alleged defamatory remarks the blogger made on social media associating commissioner Gamato to a fruit.”
That is, a tomato.
Namarong was not present for the hearing because court officials apparently could not locate the well-known public figure to serve documents.
Namorong responded by using social media to publish an image of himself gagged (pictured, with applause from his family).
And on Twitter, Namorong said: “Just heard I am being taken to court. I need a pro bono lawyer.”
To which PNG Attitude has offered to launch a public appeal to establish a fund to defend Namorong if the matter is pursued in court. Stand by, stout souls, on this one.
Mikail ruled the case must come before the court again on Monday 25 July, set to be known locally in some parts of the South Pacific as ‘International Tomato Day’.
