Former Rivers State Chief Magistrate, Ejike George, has defended his decision to quit the judiciary, citing his inability to serve under a military-led administration.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Thursday, April 17, George declared, “I am simply saying that I cannot take instructions from a military administrator. I cannot.”
His resignation followed the federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the entire House of Assembly. Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.) was appointed as Sole Administrator in their place.
Tinubu, referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, said his intervention was necessary to halt the state’s deepening political unrest.
However, George criticised the move, maintaining that no genuine crisis existed in the state to justify military-style governance. “It is not fair to the people of Rivers State,” he remarked.
Explaining the rationale behind his resignation, George noted that the structure and culture of military administration clashed with his training and professional expectations.
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“My reason for resignation is simply because I cannot adapt to the military style of adjudication that would be introduced by the reason of the sole administrator,” he said.
He clarified that magistrates operate under a summary jurisdiction system and are not strictly bound by constitutional procedures, instead receiving direction from the Chief Judge, who in turn works with the elected governor—ordinarily the state’s chief security officer.
George said, “In the entire 16 years that I served with the Rivers State Judiciary, I have taken instructions from civilian administrators. I do not know how I am going to adapt and now begin to take instructions from a military administrator. I find it very strange.”
He also expressed concern that no training had been offered to judicial officers on how to work under a military-led system.
“Until that is done, I don’t know how even my colleagues would cope,” he said. “So, for me, unfortunately, I am not the type that would keep my mouth shut. So, I decided to throw in the towel and go home and look for something else to do.”
Responding to claims from the state’s Judicial Service Commission that he was only due for voluntary retirement, George refuted the suggestion, insisting he stepped down of his own volition.
“I never faced any panel for any misconduct,” he said, challenging the commission to publish any such report if it exists.