‘He Was A Defender Of Rule Of Law’ – Omo-Agege Mourns Otuama

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has paid glowing tribute to the late Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, describing him as a champion of the rule of law who fought tirelessly to promote stability and respect for states in Nigeria.

The former Deputy President of the Senate, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Sunny Areh, said that as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Otuama’s contribution to the country’s legal and political landscape are immeasurable.

He described Otuama as a “legal luminary that distinguished himself in fighting for the rule of law to prevail in all affairs of state and levels of government”.

Utuama who was Deputy Governor of Delta State between 2007 and 2015 when Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan was governor, passed at 77 years.

The professor of law in University of Lagos was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Chief James Ibori’s administration in Delta State.

Senator Omo-Agege, in his statement while reacting to the passage, said Prof. Utuama was one of the persons that headlined the emergence of a stable federation at the onset of the Fourth Republic.

“Having come into Chief Ibori’s government as a accomplished law teacher, Prof. Utuama was very instrumental in using his stature to instill a level of stability and respect for states at a time the Fourth Republic was still wobbling as a Federation where different political parties held sway in different states.

“I recall the days where Chief Ibori initiated the legal battles that preceded the commencement of the payment of 13 percent derivation fund as enshrined in the Constitution.

“Prof. Utuama’s stature and expertise drove the legal process that gave victory to the Niger Delta states,” the former Deputy President of the Senate said in his tribute to the late Deputy Governor.

“Indeed, the Niger Delta, not just Delta State, has lost a great son. His legacy will never be forgotten and Nigeria was lucky to have had him in government at the time his calibre was desperately needed,” Omo-Agege stated.

He commiserated with the Urhobo nation, Delta State and the Niger Delta region on the death of the former Deputy Governor.