Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has removed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Cyprian Akaolisa, with immediate effect.
The announcement, made public on Monday afternoon by Chief Declan Emelumba, Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, did not specify any reason for the removal.
Akaolisa was directed to hand over all government property in his possession to the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice without delay.
The statement titled “Imo State Government Special Public Service Announcement” read:
“The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, has approved the immediate removal from office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister C.O.C. Akaolisa.
“The former commissioner is hereby directed to hand over all government property under his care to the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, immediately.”
Before Uzodimma’s administration, Akaolisa was a close ally and was once considered a possible Deputy Governor candidate in 2019. However, relations became strained, especially after he was reportedly excluded from a cabinet reshuffle, though Emelumba later clarified he was not among those dismissed then.
In 2021, Akaolisa was suspended from legal practice for five years by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) over professional misconduct. The disciplinary action followed findings by a six-member committee chaired by Dauda J.B. (SAN).
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The suspension stemmed from allegations that Akaolisa, while Attorney General, used his position to facilitate bail for a murder suspect, Paulinus Nwanochie, who had been on trial since 2013.
However, in April 2025, the Supreme Court overturned the suspension, ruling the LPDC’s decision flawed and setting it aside.
Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, leading the five-member panel, stated:
“Having considered the arguments presented by counsel, the court finds the appeal meritorious and hereby allows it.
“The decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee delivered on July 9, 2021, which found the appellant liable for infamous conduct and suspended him from legal practice for five years, is hereby set aside.”
