Former Delta Deputy Governor Utuama dead

A former deputy governor of Delta State, Amos Utuama, has died at the age of 77.

Utuama is said to have died in the early hours of Saturday in Warri, Delta State after a prolonged illness.

The late former deputy governor was a renowned law teacher who excelled as the state’s Justice Commissioner and Attorney General from 1999 to 2007.

He later became deputy governor of the state from 2007 to 2015 under the administration of ex-governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Following his death, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori sent condolences to his family.

“The deceased was a world-class academic scholar whose teachings and research activities had contributed immensely to the Nigerian legal profession and jurisprudence,” the statement said.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman, a scholar and an astute politician, Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, SAN, who passed away on Saturday in Warri.

“It was with great shock that I received the devastating news of his death. He was a gentleman politician and scholar who distinguished himself in the service of his people, first as Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state and later as Deputy Governor of the state.

“During his services to the state and country, Prof. Utuama has demonstrated commitment to the unity and development of the state,” he said.