Emergency Rule: Rivers Magistrate Slams ‘Quasi-Military’ Rule, Quits Over Ibas’ Appointment

After 16 years of dedicated service to the Rivers State judiciary, Chief Magistrate Ejike George has resigned, expressing unease with the recent appointment of a sole administrator to oversee state affairs.

He said the appointment of a soldier essentially establishes a ‘quasi-military administration’.

George’s resignation was contained in a letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary to the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission.

The letter was titled ‘Voluntary Retirement From Service’.

He expressed dismay over the direction of the state’s governance, describing it as ‘alien’ and ‘antithetical’ to the legal profession’s values.

The statement reads: “This present 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.

“Milord 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 whopping 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 naive acquiescence.

“Thanks Milord, for the opportunity to serve.”

Persecondnews had reported that President Tinubu, in a bid to put an end to the power tussle between the state’s former Gov. Nyesom Wike and his successor, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18.

The prolonged power struggle led to nearly two years of political instability in the state, culminating in a legislature-Executive deadlock.

Apart from declaring a state of emergency, the President also suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

Retired Vice Admiral Ibok- Ete Ibas who was appointed as the sole administrator, had arrived in Rivers State on March 20, and was sworn in by President Tinubu on March 19.