Rivers Chief Magistrate Resigns, Rejects Tinubu’s Emergency Rule

A sitting Chief Magistrate in Rivers State Judiciary, Ejike King George, has tendered his resignation from service, citing dissatisfaction with the imposition of a military-styled emergency administration by the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the respected legal officer bowed out after over two decades of legal practice, including 16 years on the Bench under the Rivers Judiciary.

In a resignation letter dated 11th April, 2025, addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, George expressed deep unease over the recent political developments rocking the oil-rich 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,” part of the letter read.

The learned Magistrate described the new arrangement foisted on Rivers by the Federal Government as “alien and antithetical to the democratic principles” which the judiciary is sworn to uphold.

According to George, continuing in office under such circumstances would amount to what he termed “tacit and naïve acquiescence” to a system that, in his words, contradicts the essence of constitutional democracy.

OSUN DEFENDER recalls that Tinubu had recently imposed an emergency rule in Rivers following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the House of Assembly. The decision has since sparked outrage, protests, and widespread condemnation.

“Thanks, Milord, for the opportunity to serve,” George concluded in the now-viral letter.

As at the time of filing this report, neither the Rivers State Judiciary nor the Federal Ministry of Justice had officially reacted to the development.

Sodiq Lawal

Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.

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