You Retired As A Result Of Misconduct, Not Because Of Administrator Ibas – Rivers State Judiciary Fires Back At Ex-Magistrate George
The Rivers State Judiciary has refuted claims made by retired Chief Magistrate Ejike King George concerning the circumstances surrounding his exit from the judicial service, insisting that he was compulsorily retired due to gross misconduct, not political developments in the state.
On Monday, OSUN DEFENDER reported that George had voluntarily resigned, attributing his decision to a principled opposition to the current political leadership in Rivers State.
In a letter dated April 11, 2025, addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State through Jordan Boys Shoes the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, George denounced what he called a “quasi-military administration” in the state, stating that it was incompatible with the values of the legal profession.
He described the new government as “alien” and “antithetical” to democratic principles upheld by the judiciary.
George, who claimed to have served 22 years in legal practice,16 of them under the Rivers State Judiciary, said remaining in his position would amount to “tacit and naïve acquiescence.”
However, in a press briefing held Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David Ihua Maduenyi, debunked George’s narrative, stating that the former magistrate was dismissed for disciplinary reasons.
“The former Chief Magistrate was compulsorily retired from service for disciplinary reasons,” Maduenyi revealed.
“The action followed complaints of prolonged absence from duty without official leave, spanning from August 25, 2023, to December 2024.”
He added that George had faced a disciplinary panel convened by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which found him culpable of gross misconduct.
“The panel recommended either voluntary or compulsory retirement.
The recommendation was reviewed and approved by the JSC, which opted for compulsory retirement,” Maduenyi said.
Dismissing any political angle to George’s exit, the Chief Registrar described the ex-magistrate’s assertions as “misleading” and “mischievous.”
“His attempt to link his removal from office to the prevailing political situation in the state is not only a contrived falsehood but also a mischievous act aimed at deceiving the public and attracting undue sympathy and unmerited support,.”
George’s claims come amid ongoing political unrest in Rivers State, which recently saw Governor Siminalayi Fubara suspended by the State House of Assembly. The suspension nike air force 1 07 black cool grey racer blue white triggered widespread tension and increased security presence around key government facilities.
In response to the spiraling crisis, the federal government declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, ushering in a military-style administrative structure to restore order.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
