Uzodimma sacks Attorney General Cyprian Akaolisa
By Emma Ogbuehi
In what has been dubbed a dramatic political move, Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has sacked the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Barr. Cyprian Akaolisa.
A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, in Owerri, on Monday, noted that the sack was with immediate effect.
The governor directed Akaolisa to hand over all government property in his possession to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
The statement reads: “The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, has approved the immediate removal from the office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr C .O. C Akaolisa.
“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.”
READ ALSO: Again, unknown gunmen raze Imo commissioner father’s house
No reason was given for the sack.
Attempts by TheNiche to reach government officials were unsuccessful.
Akolisa’s mobile phone was also switched off.
However, many have expressed shock over the sack of the commissioner who was regarded as an ally of the governor.
The surprise stemmed from the fact that Akolisa is one politician who has suffered immensely because of his perceived loyalty to Uzodimma.
In April 2022, unknown gunmen set ablaze his vehicles and houses, and that of his aged father both in Obibi, Awo-Idemili, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo state.
That was the second time hoodlums were torching his properties.
Expressing his disgust at the fate that befell him then, Akaolisa recalled that the Igbo are hardworking people who through their years of toils put up structures and leave developmental strides in their communities of origin in line with the philosophy; “akụ ruo ụlọ, a mara onye nwe ya.
“Through my many years of struggle, I have managed to put a block on another to build a befitting house for my family. My aged father also has a house he built through his sweat. Today, both buildings are in rubbles and ashes – our fellow Igbo burnt them. Firstly, last year, these arsonists burnt my country home in Obibi, Awo-Idemili, Orsu LGA of Imo State for no just cause.
“This year again, they returned and this time, they perfected the complete burning of even the blocks/bricks. And last night, to my utter consternation, they levelled my father’s house. This is a house my father built by himself – the life-toil of an aged man.
“In other words, I wish to put on record that my family house is destroyed. This was after they used a truck to cart all the properties: fridges TVs, bed/foams, generator sets and other household materials. What are my crimes, and who did I offend? And what were my father’s offences? And I dare ask, where is the Igbo spirit? This is a direct affront to the ‘akụ ruo ụlọ’ spirit. Who will invest in Ala Igbo nay Orsu LGA today under this type of atmosphere?”
