A Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, Ejike King George, has resigned from the bench in protest over what he described as the state’s slide into a “quasi-military administration” following recent political upheavals.
In a resignation letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Magistrate George expressed discomfort with the current political situation, declaring it incompatible with democratic norms and the principles of judicial independence.
His resignation comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers last month, a move that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire state House of Assembly. Tinubu cited escalating political instability and security concerns as justification for the unprecedented federal intervention.
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To fill the power vacuum, the president appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the sole administrator of the state for an initial six-month period.
Magistrate George’s exit adds a new layer of controversy to the unfolding crisis, as critics continue to question the legality and democratic implications of the federal takeover. His resignation is the first high-profile judicial protest since the emergency declaration.