Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - A Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, Ejike King George, has voluntarily resigned his position from the Rivers State Judiciary.
His resignation was formally communicated in a letter
addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, through the Secretary of the
Rivers State Judicial Service Commission.
In the letter, Magistrate George described his decision as
“difficult and regrettable,” citing discomfort with the recent appointment of a
“quasi-military administration” to oversee the state's affairs.
He stated that the current system of governance is
unfamiliar and fundamentally at odds with the ideals and values of the legal
profession, noting that such a structure contradicts the principles upheld by
legal practitioners and adjudicators.
George, who dedicated 16 of his 22 years in legal practice
to serving as a magistrate under successive democratic administrations, said
continuing under the current political structure would amount to “tacit and
naïve acquiescence.”
He expressed appreciation to the Chief Judge for the
opportunity to serve in the state’s judiciary.
“This letter
is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as
Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State,” the letter read.
“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.
“My Lord
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 16 out of my 22 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 naïve
acquiescence.
“Thank you,
My Lord, for the opportunity to serve.”
0 Comments