Rivers Chief Magistrate Resigns, States Reason
Chief Magistrate Ejike King George of the Rivers State Judiciary has tendered his voluntary resignation, citing deep dissatisfaction with what he described as a “quasi-military administration” imposed on the state by the federal government.
His resignation follows the highly controversial state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025. The declaration saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly.
In their place, retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, was appointed as sole administrator of the state—a move that has sparked intense debate and legal scrutiny.
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.
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“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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