Rivers State has stepped down from his role, citing dissatisfaction with the recent change in the state’s political structure.
Chief Magistrate Ejike King George, who served in the Rivers State Judiciary, announced his resignation through a formal letter submitted to the Chief Judge of Rivers State.
The letter was also sent via the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission.
In the letter, George referred to his departure as a “difficult and regrettable” choice. He explained that his discomfort stemmed from the appointment of what he described as a “quasi-military administration” in the state.
He noted that the current structure of governance does not align with the values and standards of the legal profession.
George, who has spent over two decades in the legal field, stated that 16 of those years were dedicated to serving as a magistrate in the Rivers State Judiciary. His letter explained that working under the new system would go against his professional beliefs and values, especially after spending most of his judicial career under democratic governments.
He wrote, “This letter is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State.
“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 a whooping 16 (sixteen) out of my 22 (twenty two) 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.
“Thanks My Lord, for the opportunity to serve.”
Chief Magistrate George also expressed gratitude to the judiciary for allowing him to serve over the years. He noted that stepping down was not an easy choice, but a necessary one, given the present circumstances in the state.
