Rivers State Chief Magistrate Resigns Over Emergency Rule

A Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, Ejike King George, has chosen to step down from his role within the Rivers State Judiciary.

He officially announced his resignation in a letter directed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, sent through the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission.

In his letter, Magistrate George called his choice “difficult and regrettable,” pointing to his unease with the recent establishment of a “quasi-military administration” to manage the state’s governance.

He explained that the present governing framework feels foreign and is inherently incompatible with the core principles and ethics of the legal profession, emphasizing that such a system clashes with the values cherished by legal practitioners and judges.

George, who spent 16 of his 22 years in legal practice serving as a magistrate under various democratic governments, stated that remaining in his position under the current political arrangement would constitute “tacit and naïve acquiescence.”

He conveyed gratitude to the Chief Judge for the privilege of serving in the state’s judiciary.

“This letter is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State,” the letter read.

“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 16 out of my 22 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.

“Thank you, My Lord, for the opportunity to serve.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli