A former Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, Ejike George, has cited his inability to function under what he described as a “military-style administration” as the primary reason for his recent resignation from the state judiciary.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Thursday, George explained that his decision was prompted by the appointment of a sole administrator in the state, which he equated to a quasi-military regime.
“I am simply saying that I cannot take instructions from a military administrator. I cannot,” he said.
In a resignation 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 formally tendered his resignation. He stated that he was unwilling to continue serving under what he perceived as an autocratic structure that undermines judicial independence.
“As a magistrate, our courts are courts of summary jurisdiction. Our proceedings are not guided by the Constitution in the strict sense. It means that I take directives from my employer, who is the Chief Judge, and by extension from the governor—ordinarily an elected civilian leader. That is no longer the case,” he said.
George pointed out that magistrates often receive guidance from monthly security meetings chaired by the governor alongside the Chief Judge, the Commissioner of Police, and other top officials. The outcomes of those meetings, he said, are usually implemented by the judiciary to address rising criminal activity. However, he expressed discomfort with the current arrangement, where such guidance may now come from a non-elected sole administrator.
“In all my 16 years with the Rivers State Judiciary, I have taken instructions from civilian administrators. I do not know how to adapt to taking orders from a military-style administrator,” he added. “The judiciary never trained us for such an arrangement.”
Describing the current situation in Rivers State as abnormal, George denied that there was a crisis warranting the appointment of a sole administrator, calling the move “unnecessary.”
He also dismissed claims by the Judicial Service Commission suggesting that his exit was a routine voluntary retirement.
“That is false. I never faced any panel for misconduct,” he asserted. “If they have any report to the contrary, they should publish it.”
George emphasized that he resigned on principle, noting that he would rather step down than stay silent or compromise his values. “Unfortunately, I’m not the kind who can keep quiet. So I threw in the towel and will go home to find something else to do.”
