Chief Magistrate Ejike King George of the Rivers State Judiciary has voluntarily resigned from service, expressing dissatisfaction with the federal government’s imposition of a “quasi-military administration” in the state.
His resignation follows the controversial move by President Bola Tinubu, who on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. As part of the declaration, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly were suspended.
In their place, President Tinubu appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the sole administrator of the state.
In a letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, Magistrate George expressed strong reservations about the new governance structure. He described it as “alien” and “antithetical” to the principles of the legal profession.
“This difficult and regrettable decision is informed largely by my discomfort with the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs of a modern state like ours,” the letter stated.
Magistrate George noted that he had served 16 of his 22 years in legal practice within the Rivers State Judiciary, working under successive democratic governments. He said continuing in office under the current arrangement would amount to “tacit and naïve acquiescence.”
He concluded his letter with appreciation to the judiciary for the opportunity to serve, saying, “Thanks, Milord, for the opportunity to serve.”
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