Tributes are pouring for a former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Agbe Utuama (SAN), who died in the early hours of Saturday, at the age of 77.
Utuama, a law professor served as Attorney General of Delta State for eight years – 1999 – 2007, during which he spearheaded former Governor James Ibori’s many litigations resulting from his ex-convict case and electoral victories.
Before he forayed into politics he was a professor of law at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
He was chosen as the running mate of Ibori’s cousin, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, who contested and won the 2007 governorship election in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He returned as a deputy in 2011 and served until the terminal date of the constitutionally allowed two terms of Governor Uduaghan.
Prof Utuama’s demise came barely three years after the death of his wife, Nelly in 2021.
Utuama who hailed from Otughievwen (Otu-Jeremi) town in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, was born on 5 June 1947.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, said, “I received the devastating news of his death with great shock.
‘He was a gentleman politician, and scholar who distinguished himself in the service of his people, first, as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state and later as Deputy Governor of the state.”
His former boss and former Governor Uduaghan, said, “I am beyond saddened by the death of my Deputy and ally, Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama.
“He was more than a deputy. He was my friend, adviser and elder brother. Your death is more than a huge blow to me, my family and our dear state.”
