A Magistrate in the Rivers State judiciary, Ejike King George, has stepped down from his position, expressing discomfort with the recent appointment of what he refers to as a “quasi-military administration” to manage the state’s affairs.
In a letter dated April 11, 2025, directed to the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, Magistrate George voiced his dissatisfaction with the current governance trajectory, stating it is “alien” and “antithetical” to the principles of the legal profession.
“This is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State.
“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 read in part.
Reflecting on his years of service, George said that he has spent 16 out of his 22 years in legal practice serving as a Magistrate within the Rivers State Judiciary under various democratic governments. He raised concerns that remaining under the current administration would signify “tacit and naïve acquiescence.”
This comes after the Nigerian Bar Association recently moved its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu, referencing the neglect of the rule of law and the appointment of a Sole Administrator in the state.
President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers last month following the political turmoil in the region. He justified his decision by citing rising political tensions and security breaches.
He suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly members and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator.
