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By Myke Agunwa
A Chief Magistrate in the Rivers State judiciary, Ejike King George has resigned from the public service, stating that he cannot discharge the duties of a judicial officer under an undemocratic leader.
In a letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, George described the imposition a military administrator in the state as incompatible with the values 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 reads.
He characterized the new administration as “alien” and “antithetical” to democratic principles upheld by the judiciary.
George stated that he had spent 22 years in legal practice, dedicating 16 of those to the Rivers State Judiciary under several democratic governments.
He said remaining in office would be tantamount to “tacit and naïve acquiescence.”
The resignation of George was as a result of the suspension of a democratically elected governor and members of the state assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Bola Tinubu had on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
He said the decision was taken to restore stability in the state that has been witnessing political turmoil as a result of the disagreement between the state governor and the state lawmakers.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” the President declared.
The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee governance.