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

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

The deceased ex-deputy governor was a renowned law teacher who excelled as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state from 1999 to 2007.

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

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

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

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

“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.

“Throughout his service to the state and country, Prof. Utuama demonstrated commitment to the unity and development of the state,” he said.