“I Can’t Take Orders from Rivers Administrator,” Ex-Magistrate Justifies Resignation

• Ejike George, a former Rivers State magistrate, has explained that he resigned following the appointment of a retired military officer as the sole administrator
• In a trending interview, George insisted that Rivers crisis did not warrant military-rule and argued that such a change undermines civilian rule and judicial integrity
• President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as sole administrator, after suspending Governor Fubara, deputy, and state assembly

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

A former Chief Magistrate in Rivers State, Ejike George, has justified his recent resignation from the Rivers State Judiciary, saying he was not trained to take directives from a military administrator.

“I can’t serve a military boss”: Rivers magistrate resigns

“I am simply saying that I cannot take instructions from a military administrator. I cannot,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday.

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Did court sack Rivers' sole administrator? Judiciary finally opens up

Tinubu announced the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.) on March 18, 2025, when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu; and the Rivers State House of Assembly members.

Reacting, George faulted the president’s decision, saying that there was no crisis in Rivers State to have warranted the suspension of Fubara and others as well as the introduction of military-style rule.

“It is not fair to the people of Rivers state,” he insisted.

He said:

“My reason for resignation is simply because I cannot adapt to the military style of adjudication that would be introduced by the reason of the sole administrator.

“I am simply saying that I cannot take instructions from a military administrator. I cannot. In the entire 16 years that I served with the Rivers State Judiciary, I have taken instructions from civilian administrators. I do not know how I am going to adapt and now begin to take instructions from a military administrator. I find it very strange.

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Breaking: “Sack Rivers sole administrator now,” Falana tells Tinubu, cites reason

“The judiciary did not take us to any previous training on how to work with military administrators. Until that is done, I don’t know how even my colleagues would cope. So, for me, unfortunately, I am not the type that would keep my mouth shut. So, I decided to throw in the towel and go home and look for something else to do.”

Watch Ejike George's full interview below;

Read more about Rivers crisis:

• Rivers emergency rule: “Gov Fubara will be back,” Tompolo declares, sends crucial message to Wike, Tinubu
• “There’s an attempt to extend state of emergency in Rivers,” Commissioner Gbali alleges
• Rivers sole administrator suspends SSG, other appointees

Falana calls for sack of Rivers administrator, gives reason

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Femi Falana, SAN, has demanded the immediate sack of Rivers state sole administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, citing constitutional breach and disregard for presidential directives.

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Reps committee petitioned as Rivers' sole administrator is accused of misusing N100bn

Falana referred to an official Federal Government Gazette that states the administrator's actions must be guided by regulations issued by President Tinubu, and none have been issued.

This came days after the sole administrator allegedly made new appointments and sacked officials appointed by suspended Governor Fubara.

Source: Legit.ng