Uche Uko Uche, a foremost Nigerian lawyer, is dead.

He died on August 2. He was aged 87.

Announcing his passing in a statement on Wednesday, Ijeoma Oyeator, his daughter, said funeral arrangements will be formally announced by the family in due course.

Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, has described the death of UcheUche as a huge loss to the country.

Kalu, in a condolence message, from Abuja, commiserated with the government and people of Abia over the loss.

While extolling the virtues of the late professor of law, Kalu said the deceased contributed immensely to the legal profession beyond the shores of Nigeria.

The former governor of Abia State urged Uche family to sustain his worthy legacies.

According to him, the late legal icon was a source of inspiration to his contemporaries and the younger generation.

He described the deceased as a notable son of Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia, who was known globally for his legal expertise.

“I received with a heavy heart the news of the passing of foremost legal luminary, Prof. Uche Uche.

“The late legal expert served meritoriously in various capacities across the globe.

“He was known for his integrity, intellectual capacity and professionalism. The late legal icon will be remembered for his good deeds,” Kalu said.

He prayed for eternal rest for the late legal scholar.

ABOUT UCHE UCHE

Born on November 7, 1934, Uche hailed from Ohafia in Abia state.

Uchehad his early education at Aggrey Memorial College, Arochukwu from 1948 and 1952, before gaining admission to Teachers’ Training College, Uyo, which he attended from 1954 to 1955.

He proceeded to the University of Ghana from 1958 to 1961, and was admitted to the University of Oxford, England where he got his master of laws and PhD degrees between 1962 and 1965.

He began private legal practice at Messrs A. K. Uche Chambers, Aba between 1965 and 1966, and later returned to England to become a lecturer in African law at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

Uchewas appointed professor of public law at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and went on to become a consultant at Waruhiu and Waruhiu between 1972 and 1977.

He was also a founding and managing partner, U.U. Uche and Associates, Lagos, and president of Otu Oka Iwu (Association of Igbo Lawyers in Lagos) from 1997 to 2006.

He was a senior legal consultant, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); former chairman, board of directors, Centre for African Family Studies, Nairobi, Kenya; member, board of directors, Development Law and Policy Programme, Centre for Population and Family Health, Columbia University, New York; chairman, board of directors, African Continental Bank, Lagos; and member, British Institute of International and Comparative Law).

He was the traditional title holder of Ugwumba of Isiama, Ohafia.

Uche was almost 60 years at the Bar, having been admitted to the English Bar, Gray’s Inn, London in 1963.

He was touted as perhaps the first black lecturer at the University of London where he rose to the position of Professor of Law.

He was also a visiting lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

Born on November 9, 1934, Uche died in London where he had gone for medical treatment.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Adaibe Uche and five children.