Chief Victor Nnamdi Okafor, famously known as Eze Ego (King of Money) I of Ihiala, Udu Bunch, or The Young Millionaire, was one of Nigeria’s most enigmatic businessmen of the 1990s. A self-made millionaire with an extraordinary rise to wealth, he was one of the most influential Igbo tycoons of his time.
Born on December 25, 1964, Ezego lived a life of luxury and flamboyance, accumulating vast wealth in real estate, automobiles, and electronics. However, his life was tragically cut short on December 26, 1999, at the age of 34, following a fatal car accident just a day after his birthday.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education
Ezego was born into a humble background in Uzoakwa, Ihiala, Anambra State. His story is often described as a rags-to-riches tale, showcasing his dramatic transition from a difficult childhood to immense wealth.
He began his education at Uzoakwa Primary School, Ihiala, and proceeded to Abbot Boys’ Secondary School, Ihiala. However, due to family and personal challenges, he dropped out before completing secondary school and ventured into business.
His early life was marked by hardship and, at a point, controversy, as he was allegedly involved in criminal activities that led to his father disowning him. He later fled his hometown and sought refuge in different villages before eventually moving to Lagos in 1989 to seek a better life.
Rise to Wealth and Business Empire
Ezego’s business acumen and strategic partnerships in Lagos helped him amass significant wealth. His breakthrough came after working under a mentor in Lagos, and within a few years, he built an empire in the electronics trade and real estate.
Key Businesses and Investments
- Ezego Shopping Complex (Allen Avenue, Lagos)
- Ezego Plaza (Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, Lagos)
- Vic-Winners International Limited
- Ezego Nigeria Limited
- Ezego Holdings Limited
- Vitex Zinc Co. Limited
- Ezego Properties Limited
By the late 1990s, Ezego was a multimillionaire, controlling one of Nigeria’s largest electronics businesses with branches in Lagos and Abuja.
Wealth and Lavish Lifestyle
Real Estate and Properties
Ezego invested heavily in luxury real estate, including:
- A ₦500 million mansion in Ihiala, with Italian-imported marble.
- Several villas, estates, and mansions across Nigeria and overseas.
- Over 70 houses in Nigeria.
Luxury Cars Collection
Ezego was a car enthusiast, owning one of the largest private car garages in Africa, worth nearly ₦1 billion at the time of his death. Some of his most expensive cars included:
- Lincoln Continental Mark 8
- Mercedes Benz R230 Convertible
- Porsche Sports Car
- Lexus Jeep
- Cherokee Jeep
- Honda Accord
His fleet of cars was frequently paraded in lavish convoys, impressing his associates and admirers.
Family and Personal Life
- Spouse: Princess Laurita Nkechi Okafor (née Akata)
- Children: 8 (including a son from a Japanese woman)
Ezego was married to Princess Nkechi Okafor, a fair-skinned beauty from Imo State. Their union produced eight children, and his family lived in Ajao Estate, Lagos, before later relocating to Lekki after his death.
Legal Battles Over His Estate
Following Ezego’s death, multiple lawsuits and family disputes arose over his vast fortune. His widow, Princess Nkechi, became embroiled in legal conflicts over his bank accounts and assets, which were held in Citizens International Bank, Zenith Bank, and Diamond Bank.
In 2002, a case (Suit Number CA/E/166M/2000) reached the Court of Appeal in Enugu, where Ezego’s wife, legal executor, and family members clashed over the distribution of his wealth.
Tragic Death in a Car Accident (December 26, 1999)
On December 23, 1999, Ezego set out from Lagos to Ihiala for his annual birthday and Christmas homecoming celebration, which included:
- A lavish party featuring Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti.
- A grand convoy of luxury cars.
However, Ezego’s trip took a tragic turn when one of his vehicles broke down in Asaba, Delta State. Insisting on towing the vehicle himself, Ezego drove his Lexus Jeep, pulling the faulty Cherokee Jeep.
Fatal Accident (Onitsha-Owerri Road, Anambra State)
- While descending a steep slope near Okija, Ezego’s towing chain snapped, causing the Cherokee to slam into his Lexus, sending him into a deep ditch.
- He was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, but the hospital was ill-equipped to handle his severe internal bleeding.
- Lack of medical personnel delayed treatment, and Ezego’s condition deteriorated.
- He was later transferred to Port Harcourt, but he died on December 26, 1999.
At the time of his death, Ezego was just 34 years old.
Aftermath and Legacy
After Ezego’s untimely death, his business empire collapsed due to family disputes, lack of succession planning, and mismanagement.
- His iconic mansion in Ihiala fell into disrepair, with parts of its glass structures falling apart.
- Ezego Crescent (Ihiala), once a symbol of his affluence, became abandoned.
- His widow, Princess Nkechi, reportedly remarried his family lawyer, further fueling controversy over his assets.
Unsolved Murder of His Lawyer
In 2002, Barnabas Igwe, the lawyer responsible for executing Ezego’s will, and his wife Abigail Igwe were brutally murdered.
- Many suspected foul play, linking their deaths to the struggle over Ezego’s estate.
- Despite calls for police investigations, the case remains unsolved.
Conclusion
Chief Victor Nnamdi Okafor, Ezego, remains one of the most mysterious and legendary businessmen in Nigerian history.
His story—from humble beginnings to immense wealth, and his tragic demise at just 34 years old—has been the subject of speculation, admiration, and controversy.
His rise and fall serve as a lesson on wealth, family feuds, and the importance of succession planning. While his fortune disappeared, his legacy as one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant millionaires lives on.
Related posts:
Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe
Pope Leo XIV
Bob-Manuel Udokwu
Views: 44
N:B Please send your updated CV to: info@igbopeople.org – Editor
© igbopeople.org
All entries on this website will be periodically updated to add, modify, or amend the information or content of existing entries. Consequently, no legal action will be entertained against the biographer for any information considered incomplete or insufficient.