Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has dismissed the state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Cyprian Akaolisa, with immediate effect.

 

The announcement was made on Monday, May 26, in Owerri through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba.

According to the statement, “The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, CON, has approved the immediate removal from the office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr C. O. C. Akaolisa.”

 

It continued, “The erstwhile commissioner has been directed to hand over all government property under his care to the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, immediately.”

The decision has come as a surprise to many in the state, especially given Akaolisa’s perceived closeness to the governor. Some political observers have described the move as shocking, though no official reason has been given for the dismissal.

 

This is not the first time Akaolisa has been removed from office under the Uzodinma administration. In May 2021, the governor dissolved his cabinet and relieved 20 commissioners of their duties, including Akaolisa. However, just three months later in August, he was reinstated. At the time, Emelumba clarified, “The inclusion of Akaolisa among the sacked commissioners was in error.”