Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria — Ejike George, wey be former Chief Magistrate for Rivers State, don explain why he resign from the judiciary, say e no fit operate under military administration. Na on Thursday night, he talk this matter during live interview for Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Di crisis begin dem when President Bola Tinubu declare state of emergency for Rivers State on March 18, 2025, and appoint retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator. George talk say, “My reason for resignation be simple because I no fit adapt to di military style of adjudication wey go come with di sole administrator. I no fit take instruction from military administrator. I no fit.”
Di former magistrate express im disappointment with di Federal Government wey suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of di Rivers State House of Assembly. Tinubu, wey use Section 305 of di 1999 Constitution, talk say di suspension necessary to stop di rising political crisis for di state.
But George disagree, saying, “There was no crisis for Rivers State wey fit warrant di suspension of an elected governor and im deputy, and di imposition of military-style rule. E no fair to di people of Rivers State.” Ibok-Ete Ibas, wey be Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, come from neighboring Cross River State and dem select am as administrator to help restore order for Rivers State.
George, wey serve for Rivers State Judiciary for 16 years, maintain say judiciary officers no be trained to work under military-style leadership. “Our courts na courts of summary jurisdiction. Our proceedings no dey guided by di Constitution of dis country,” he talk. “Dis mean say I go take directives from my employer wey be di Chief Judge of Rivers State. We, in turn, dey take some level of directive from di governor; dat one go depend on di elected governor wey don dey act as di chief security officer of di state,” he add.
He continue, “For di entire 16 years wey I serve with di Rivers State Judiciary, I don dey follow instructions from civilian administrators. I no sabi how I go adapt come begin take instructions from military administrator. E dey strange for me.” George also bring up di claims from di Rivers State Judicial Commission wey say he retire voluntarily and no resign. “I never face any panel for any misconduct. Let them publish any report if dem get one. I resign on my own accord,” he talk.
He further explain say di judiciary no provide any training on how to operate under military supervision. “Until dem do dat one, I no know how my colleagues go cope. So, for me, unfortunately, I no be di type wey go keep my mouth shut. So, I decide to throw in di towel and go home to find something else to do,” he conclude.
