Lesson from Imo AG’s Sack

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, last Monday sacked the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Cyprian Akaolisa.

Though a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba, did not disclose the reasons for the AG’s sack, he later said the action was part of moves to rejig the cabinet.

He denied speculations that his removal was sequel to the controversies that followed the appointment of a chief judge for the state.

Recall that Governor Uzodimma was recently embroiled in controversy with the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu who is the fourth in the state’s High Court’s hierarchy as the state’s acting Chief Judge.

The governor later bowed to the council’s pressure and reversed himself.

Emelumba had claimed that the governor initially appointed Justice Nzeukwu as acting chief judge based on credible reports available to him, which had indicated that the judge was the “most senior judicial officer not encumbered by unresolved issues.”

He, however, said the state government later reviewed the NJC’s directive on the appointment of the acting chief judge and saw that it made a mistake.

Many felt that the saga had seriously embarrassed Governor Uzodimma.

The sacked attorney general cannot say that he was not aware of the constitutional provision and the fact that the NJC had been consistent in ensuring that this constitutional provision was not violated.

It was sad that in his capacity as the chief law officer of the state, he could not summon the courage to tell the governor that what he was doing was unconstitutional or even aided him. 

Or did the sacked commissioner advise Uzodimma appropriately but the governor ignored his legal advice and brought the embarrassing upon himself?

Many had called on the NJC to refer any attorney general who does not properly guide their governors to the appropriate lawyers’ disciplinary committee for sanctions.

The travail of Akaolisa is a lesson to the aides and officials of political leaders to always stand by the truth at all times.