By Austin Ogwuda
FORMER Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori has described Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, who died this Saturday morning at the age of 77 as “my humble, loyal and esteemed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice”, saying that if it were in his power to halt his (Utuama) death he could have done so.
Ibori in a tribute said, “Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, my humble, loyal, and esteemed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
“You were my steadfast legal foundation, executing your duties with unwavering commitment. If it were within my power to halt death, I would have done so for you.
“Farewell, dear Professor. May your pure soul rest in eternal peace”.
Senator Omo Agege mourns too
On his part, the former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, while reacting to the death of the legal luminary said Prof. Utuama was one of the persons that headlined the emergence of a stable federation at the onset of the Fourth Republic.
Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Sunny Areh in a press statement on his behalf said, “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.
