By Eric Moore
A twist has emerged in the breaking story of a Chief Magistrate in the Rivers State Judiciary, Ejike King George, who claimed he voluntarily retired in protest of the imposition of state of emergency in Rivers State.
The letter for his voluntary retirement went viral on Monday, April 14, 2025.
But, the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission (JSC), his employer, has countered the claim, saying the man was rather compulsorily retired.
The counter was released by Blessing Vic-Jumbo, acting secretary of the JSC, early Tuesday, and dated April 14, 2025.
In the Disclaimer, the JSC said George was compulsorily retired on February 10, 2025, on disciplinary grounds.
The disclaimer gave the reason, saying the Chief Magistrate was advised by the JSC to retire or be retired, but that he failed to take the window.
The JSC stated thus: “My attention has been drawn to the news making the rounds in the media credited to one Ejike King George Esq, retired Chief Magistrate dated April 11, 2025, to the effect that he voluntarily retired due to ‘..recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs ..’ of Rivers State.
“To set the records straight, the person we know as Ejike K. George Esq, (Chief Magistrate Grade 11 Rtd) was by a letter dated February 12, 2025, from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) compulsorily retired from service with effect from February 10, 2025, for disciplinary reasons bordering specifically on complaint of continuous absence from duty without leave from August 25, 2023 till December 2024.
“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 February 10, 2025, and this was duly communicated to him.”
The JSC said the above event had no nexus whatsoever with current political happenings in the state.
“The attempt by Ejike K. George Esq. to link his exit from service to 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 members of the public were advised to be properly guided.