A former Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, Ejike George, has disclosed what led to his recent resignation from the state judiciary, that he cannot operate under the directives of a sole administrator. George made the revelation while he was a guest yesterday during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator displacing Similayi Fubara as the state governor.
George said, “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.
He explained, “I am simply saying that I cannot take instructions from a military administrator. I cannot.”
The former magistrate protested the decision of the Federal Government’s to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Tinubu claimed he was invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, for the suspension and was necessary to arrest the escalating political crisis in the state, the decision the judge disagreed with.
George insisted “There was no crisis in Rivers State to warrant the suspension of an elected governor and his deputy, and the imposition of a military-style rule. It is not fair to the people of Rivers State.”
Ibas, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff between 2015 and 2021, hails from neighboring Cross River State and was named sole administrator as part of federal efforts to restore order in Rivers State.
George, who has served the Rivers State Judiciary for about 16 years, maintained that judicial officers were not trained to operate under military-style leadership.
He said, “Our courts are courts of summary jurisdiction. Our proceedings are not guided by the Constitution of this country.
“That being the case, it means that I would take directives from my employer who is the Chief Judge of Rivers State.
“We, in turn, take some level of directive from the governor; that would have been the elected governor who had acted as the chief security officer of the state,” he added.
According to the ex-judge, In his entire 16 years that he served under the Rivers State Judiciary, he have been taking instructions from civilian administrators. But now, 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.
George also challenged claims made by the Rivers State Judicial Commission that he retired voluntarily and not through resignation.
“I never faced any panel for any misconduct.
“Let them publish any report if there is one. I resigned on my own accord,” he said.
He further explained that the judiciary had not offered any training on how to operate under military oversight.
“Until that is done, I don’t know how even my colleagues would cope.
“So, for me, unfortunately, I am not the type that would keep my mouth shut. So, I decided to throw in the towel and go home and look for something else to do”, he concluded.