Chief Magistrate Protests Rivers Emergency Rule, Resigns From Judicial Service

A Chief Magistrate in the Rivers State Judiciary, Ejike King George, has voluntarily resigned from service, citing unease with the recent appointment of what he described as a “quasi-military administration” to oversee the affairs of the state.

President Bola Tinubu had on March 18, 2025 declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, as well as the State House of Assembly

Tinubu subsequently appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), 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 Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, George expressed discontent over the direction of the state’s governance, stating that it was “alien” and “antithetical” to the values of the legal profession.

The letter read: “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.”

Highlighting his years of service, the Chief Magistrate noted that he dedicated 16, out of his 22 years in legal practice to the Rivers State Judiciary as a Magistrate under various democratic administrations.

He expressed concerns that continuing under the present structure would amount to “tacit and naïve acquiescence.”

George ended his letter with gratitude: “Thanks, Milord, for the opportunity to serve.”