Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has officially dismissed the state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Cyprian Akaolisa, with immediate effect.
This significant development was publicly announced on Monday, May 26, 2025, in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, through an official statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Honorable Declan Emelumba. The statement, bearing the formal authority of the state government, confirmed the governor’s decision to relieve Barrister Akaolisa of his duties.
According to the official release, “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.”
The statement further instructed the former commissioner to promptly hand over all government properties and official documents in his custody to the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.
The sudden nature of this dismissal has taken many by surprise across the political and public spheres within Imo State. Barrister Akaolisa was widely perceived as a close and trusted ally of Governor Uzodinma, making this unexpected decision a topic of much speculation and discussion.
Political analysts and observers have expressed shock at the move, emphasizing that no official explanation or rationale has been provided by the governor’s office for the termination of Akaolisa’s appointment.
This dismissal marks a recurring theme in the political administration of Governor Uzodinma concerning Akaolisa’s tenure. Notably, this is not the first time Barrister Akaolisa has been removed from office under the current administration.
Back in May 2021, Governor Uzodinma undertook a sweeping cabinet reshuffle, dissolving his cabinet and relieving twenty commissioners, including Akaolisa, from their respective positions. However, the dismissal then proved to be short-lived, as Akaolisa was reinstated to his previous role merely three months later, in August 2021.
At the time of his reinstatement, Hon. Declan Emelumba clarified the circumstances around the prior removal, stating, “The inclusion of Akaolisa among the sacked commissioners was in error,” thereby restoring Akaolisa’s position as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General.
The repeated changes in Akaolisa’s status within the administration highlight ongoing dynamics and possible internal political considerations within Governor Uzodinma’s government. While the reasons for the current dismissal remain undisclosed, it underscores the unpredictable nature of political appointments and the challenges associated with governance in Imo State.
As the state awaits further announcements or clarifications, the immediate focus will be on ensuring continuity within the Ministry of Justice and addressing any potential impacts on the legal and administrative operations of Imo State’s government.