A former Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, Ejike George, has explained that his recent resignation was a protest against what he described as the introduction of a “military-style” judicial system under the state’s current administration.
George, who resigned in a letter dated April 11, 2025, addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State via the Judicial Service Commission, appeared on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday to publicly clarify his stance.
“I am simply saying that I cannot take instructions from a military administrator. I cannot,” George stated firmly during the interview. “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 being our governor.”
He expressed discomfort with the administrative changes, specifically the appointment of a sole administrator in place of an elected governor, which he likened to a “quasi-military” regime. According to George, this shift affects how the judiciary interacts with the executive arm.
George explained that magistrates, as part of the lower courts, operate under a summary jurisdiction system that typically allows guidance from the Chief Judge and the elected governor through regular security meetings. The outcomes of such meetings, he noted, often influence judicial strategies to tackle criminal issues in the state.
“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 said.
He also lamented the lack of training or orientation for magistrates to adjust to this new style of governance. “Until that is done, I don’t know how even my colleagues would cope,” he added.
The former magistrate denied there was any crisis in the state, stating that the imposition of a sole administrator was simply unnecessary. He further refuted claims by the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission that his exit was due to voluntary retirement, not resignation.
“I never faced any panel for any misconduct,” he asserted, challenging the commission to publish any report that suggests otherwise.
George’s resignation adds another dimension to the ongoing political developments in Rivers State, raising questions about the judiciary’s independence under the current administrative structure.
