Rivers state chief magistrate resigns over emergency rule

A Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, Ejike King George, has voluntarily resigned his position from the Rivers State Judiciary.

His resignation was formally communicated in a letter addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, through the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission.

In the letter, Magistrate George described his decision as “difficult and regrettable,” citing discomfort with the recent appointment of a “quasi-military administration” to oversee the state’s affairs.

He stated that the current system of governance is unfamiliar and fundamentally at odds with the ideals and values of the legal profession, noting that such a structure contradicts the principles upheld by legal practitioners and adjudicators.

George, who dedicated 16 of his 22 years in legal practice to serving as a magistrate under successive democratic administrations, said continuing under the current political structure would amount to “tacit and naïve acquiescence.”

He expressed appreciation to the Chief Judge for the opportunity to serve in the state’s judiciary.

“This letter is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State,” 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.

“My Lord 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 16 out of my 22 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 naïve acquiescence.

“Thank you, My Lord, for the opportunity to serve.”