Rivers Judiciary Clarifies Exit Of Ex-Chief Magistrate, Cites Misconduct

Rivers Judiciary Clarifies Exit Of Ex-Chief Magistrate, Cites Misconduct

The Rivers State Judiciary has formally responded to claims made by former Chief Magistrate Ejike King George, clarifying that his exit from service was not voluntary but rather a compulsory retirement based on disciplinary grounds.

Contrary to George’s assertion that he chose to retire due to political developments in the state, including the alleged imposition of a Sole Administrator and suspension of the governor, the Judiciary stated that his removal was the outcome of a disciplinary process….READ MORE…

George had claimed in a letter dated April 11, 2025, that he voluntarily retired from service because he could not operate in what he described as a lawless environment. He criticized the federal government’s actions in Rivers State, likening them to a quasi-military regime.

However, in a statement released in Port Harcourt, the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, clarified that George was officially retired through a letter issued by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on February 12, 2025, effective from February 10, 2025. The decision followed sustained absenteeism from duty without official leave from August 25, 2023, through December 2024.

The Chief Registrar explained that the disciplinary process began after the JSC received complaints about George’s conduct. He appeared before a disciplinary panel which recommended either voluntary or compulsory retirement. When George failed to retire voluntarily within the stipulated time frame, the Commission enforced compulsory retirement.

“The attempt by Mr. George to attribute his retirement to political events in the state is entirely misleading and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public,” Ihua-Maduenyi stated. “This narrative is a calculated move to gain unwarranted sympathy and attention.”

He further urged the public to disregard George’s claims and be properly informed about the true circumstances surrounding his exit from judicial service.