Both the Rivers State Judiciary and the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission have disowned former Chief Magistrate Ejike George who sensationally stated that he resigned from judicial functions due to imposition of state of emergency on the state.

Confirming CITY LAWYER exclusive report, the two entities stated that George was compulsorily retired from service  due to his long absence from duty.

According to a statement by the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission obtained by CITY LAWYER, “the person we know as Ejike K, George, Esq. (Chief Magistrate Grade II Rtd) was by a letter dated 12th February, 2025 from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), compulsorily retired from service with effect from 10th day of February, 2025 for disciplinary reasons bothering specifically on complaint of continuous absence from duty without leave from 25th August, 2023 till December 2024.”

Signed by Blessings Vic-Jumbo, the commission’s Acting Secretary, the statement also notes that “Sequel to the above, Ejike K, George, Esq. appeared before a disciplinary panel which found him wanting and made recommendations to the Commission. The Commission offered Ejike K, George, Esq. opportunity to retire voluntarily within a specific time frame or be compulsorily retired. Ejike K, George, Esq. having failed to retire voluntarily within the said time frame was consequently retired compulsorily with effect from 10th day of February, 2025; and this was duly communicated to him.”

The Commission stated that his retirement “has no nexus whatsoever with current political happenings in the state,” adding that “The attempt by Ejike K, George, Esq. to link his exit from service with the political situation is not only a contrived falsehood but a mischievous action calculated to deceive the public, attract undue sympathy and undeserved patronage.”

The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the reasons given by retired Chief Magistrate Ejike King George for his exit from the Judiciary.

On his part, the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David Ihua Maduenyi, in a media briefing in Port Harcourt today, also stated that George was compulsorily retired from service with effect from February 10, 2025, for disciplinary reasons.

Restating the commission’s position, Maduenyi noted that George’s retirement followed complaints of prolonged absence from duty without official leave, spanning from August 25, 2023, to December 2024.

The Chief Registrar stated that the recommendation was subsequently submitted to the JSC, which approved his compulsory retirement.

CITY LAWYER recalls that George had in the resignation letter expressed dismay over the direction of the governance of the state, which he said is “alien” and “antithetical” to the values of the legal profession.

The letter obtained by CITY LAWYER reads: “This present is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State.

George expressed dismay over the direction of the governance of the state, which he said is “alien” and “antithetical” to the values of the legal profession.

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.”

Rivers State is currently being ruled by a former military officer, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.