When you mention the name Victor Okafor, not much may come to mind, but say “Ezego, King of Money,” and Nigerians will instantly recognize the name with excitement. Ezego, as he was famously known, could have become one of Africa’s billionaires. He was a fair-skinned man, known for his soft voice and warm smile, which lit up his chubby cheeks. Although relatively young, Ezego was highly respected within Nigeria’s business community.
This is the story of Chief Victor Nnamdi Okafor, also known as Eze Ego (King of Money) I of Ihiala, Udu Bunch, or the Young Millionaire—a remarkable Igbo businessman whose life tragically ended on the eve of his birthday.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 25, 1964, Ezego was the first son from Uzoakwa, Ihiala, in Anambra State. His life is often described as a rags-to-riches story. He began his education at Uzoakwa Primary School but was forced to drop out during secondary school at Abbot Boys’ Secondary School, Ihiala. Eventually, Ezego turned to business. His childhood was filled with challenges, including a period when his father disowned him after he was caught for being involved with a notorious robbery gang that terrorized traders in Onitsha.
Escape and Business Ventures
After some of his gang members were apprehended, Ezego fled to Umumeni Village. His father, still angry, sent him away, prompting Ezego to seek refuge in his mother’s village, Umuduru. Life in Umuduru was difficult, and in 1989, Ezego relocated to Lagos, where he joined a mentor. The details of what happened during this period remain unclear, but years later, Ezego emerged as a multimillionaire, becoming one of the elite businessmen in Lagos.
In Lagos, he founded the Ezego Shopping Complex on Allen Avenue, with a second branch in Abuja, as well as Ezego Plaza on Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road. These became major electronics hubs in Nigeria. His other businesses included Vic-Winners International Limited, Ezego Nigeria Limited, Ezego Holdings Limited, Vitex Zinc Co. Limited, and Ezego Properties Limited.
Wealth and Assets
By 1999, Ezego had amassed significant wealth, owning numerous properties, including a glass house. His real estate portfolio outside Ihiala was valued at around half a billion naira. His expansive mansion in Ihiala was estimated at another N500 million, with marble imported from Italy.
A Passion for Cars
Ezego was a car enthusiast with one of Africa’s largest private car collections. He regularly purchased the latest models, filling his garages in Ihiala and Lagos. His car collection alone was worth nearly a billion naira. In one instance, he spent N14 million on just two luxury cars: a Sedan Lincoln Continental Mark 8 and a Mercedes Benz R230 convertible from Moontrends, owned by Tayo Ayeni.
At the time of his death, Ezego owned countless luxury cars, 70 properties across Nigeria and overseas, and over N10 billion in his bank accounts.
Love and Family Life
Ezego was married to Princess Laurita Nkechi, a beautiful woman from Akata, Imo State. Their marriage produced eight children. After his death, Princess Nkechi relocated from their home in Ajao Estate to Lekki. By 2013, reports indicated that she was successfully managing her late husband’s business empire, with their children studying in top universities around the world.
Tragic Death
On December 25, 1999—Ezego’s birthday—death unexpectedly struck. Every year, Ezego would travel to his hometown of Ihiala to celebrate his birthday alongside Christmas and New Year, in what became an eagerly anticipated homecoming. Plans for the grand celebration were in full swing for that year as well.
He planned to throw an extravagant party, with popular musicians like Femi Kuti and his Positive Force Band scheduled to perform. To ensure everything went smoothly, Ezego personally visited the Afrikan Shrine to meet Femi Kuti before setting off for Ihiala on December 23, 1999.
Unfortunately, Ezego decided to drive himself from Lagos to Ihiala in his Lexus jeep, rather than flying as he usually did. His convoy included several luxury cars, but along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Cherokee jeep in the convoy began experiencing engine trouble. Ezego decided to continue managing the faulty car until it completely broke down in Asaba. Refusing to leave the vehicle behind, he instructed one of his boys to buy a chain to tow it.
Ezego personally towed the broken-down car using his Lexus, but as they neared Ihiala, disaster struck. Between Ozubulu and Okija, the towing chain snapped, causing the Cherokee to crash into Ezego’s Lexus. He lost control of the vehicle and plunged into a deep ditch.
Despite efforts to rescue him, Ezego sustained severe injuries, including a gash on his face. He was rushed to the Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where he had previously donated N15 million. Although he was alive upon arrival, there were no doctors on duty, and by the time medical help arrived, Ezego was in critical condition, bleeding internally and going into shock. Attempts to stabilize him failed, and he passed away on December 26, 1999, at the age of 34.
The Aftermath
Ezego’s community still remembers him fondly, although many of his business ventures collapsed after his death. His once-vibrant country home in Ihiala fell into disrepair, with parts of the house decaying, flowers and streetlights vanishing, and sections of the road named after him eroded by time and neglect. His legacy, while remembered, is also a cautionary tale of the fleeting nature of wealth and success.
This is the story of Victor Nnamdi Okafor, Nigeria’s King of Money.
