Ejike George, a chief magistrate in Rivers state, has tendered his resignation from service, citing concerns over the appointment of a sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the state.
In a letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the chief judge of Rivers state through the secretary of the state Judicial Service Commission, George described the development as “troubling” and likened it to a “quasi-military administration”.
The letter, titled “voluntary retirement from service”, conveyed his decision to step down after serving 16 years on the bench.
“This present is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as magistrate of the judiciary of Rivers state,” the letter reads.
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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.
“Milord will agree with me that this type of governance system is not only alien but also runs antithetical to our hallowed profession as legal practitioners and adjudicators.
“Having put in a whopping 16 (sixteen) out of my 22 (twenty-two) years of legal practice into this judiciary as magistrate under successive democratic administrations, I find it difficult to work with the current setting, as doing so would amount to a tacit and naive acquiescence.
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“Thanks Milord, for the opportunity to serve.”
President Bola Tinubu, on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing a protracted political crisis and the vandalisation of oil facilities.
The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and all house of assembly members for six months.
Tinubu also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers.
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The senate and the house of representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule.
