Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has described the late Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, as a legal icon who lived for justice, unity and progress.
Governor Oborevwori paid glowing tribute to the late Professor of Law, a former Deputy Governor of Delta State at a special Court Session held in honour of the deceased at the Ceremonial Hall, High Court Complex, Asaba.
The Court Session presided by the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice T.O. Diai, also attracted Legal luminaries from different parts of the country, including the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, Governor Oborevwori who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, said; “We gather today with heavy hearts but deep respect to honour the life and legacy of Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, SAN, an outstanding legal mind, statesman and former Deputy Governor of Delta State.
“Professor Utuama lived a life defined by service, scholarship and justice. As an academic, his work shaped legal education in Nigeria.
“As Attorney-General and later Deputy Governor, he served with integrity, humility and a commitment to unity and development. His legal brilliance helped secure historic gains for the Niger Delta, including the 13% derivation fund.
“He was not only a leader but also a mentor, a wise counsellor and a loyal party man whose love for Delta State remained steadfast even in ill health. I am personally grateful for the relationship we shared.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I offer heartfelt condolences to the Utuama family, the Urhobo nation and the Otu-Jeremi community. We mourn with you and pledge our support during this difficult time. Let us honour his memory by upholding the values he lived for, justice, unity and progress. “May the soul of Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, SAN, rest in eternal peace and may God Almighty grant his family and all of us, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, while delivering a speech noted that, the late Prof. Utuama, SAN, was a distinguished legal luminary, a devoted public servant, and a principled man of uncommon warmth and grace.
Ohwovoriole noted that late Prof. Utuama, SAN, during his time as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, championed numerous ground-breaking reforms within the Ministry of Justice. He asserted that Prof. Utuama pioneered the establishment of two distinct Permanent Secretaries responsible for overseeing and coordinating legal services across the various departments; and the Permanent Secretary (Administration), saddled with the general administrative functions of the Ministry.
Prof. Utuama also created a new Department of People’s Rights, spearheaded the development of a modern and computerised Law Library, and undertook a comprehensive sanitisation of the State’s contracting processes. “Under his leadership, a people-oriented staff welfare scheme and consistent capacity-building initiatives for Ministry personnel were instituted.”
According to Ohwovoriole; “Prof. Utuama’s integrity enabled him to become a Professor of Law, Attorney–General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Deputy Governor of Delta State for two consecutive terms.
“His life journey was like a well-argued case: structured, deliberate, and impactful; and now, though he has rested his pen and the floating charge of his earthly existence has crystallized, his legacy will continue to speak in courtrooms, classrooms, and corridors of power.”