Victor Nnamdi Okafor "Ezego" // (25 December 1964 – 25 December 1999) predominantly known by his ruler title Ezego[1] (which means "King Of Money" in English), was an opulent Nigerian businessman who reportedly engaged in diabolical means[2] in order to amass wealth.[3] He died on 25 December 1999 at the age of 35 under bizarre circumstances.[4]
Ezego | |
|---|---|
 A framed photo of Ezego, in Ihiala town | |
| Born | Victor Nnamdi Okafor Ezego 25 December 1964 Ihiala, Anambra State, First Nigerian Republic |
| Died | 25 December 1999 (aged 35) Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria |
Early life and education
editEzego was born on 25 December 1964. He was a native of Ihiala in Anambra state. Ezego attended only grade school and would abandon education entirely. He joined an armed robbery syndicate that terrorized the people of Anambra state for years. In 1988, every member of the armed robbery squad was apprehended except Ezego. He evaded arrest several times. In 1989 he relocated to Lagos state to pursue business opportunities.[4][1]
Source of wealth
editEzego's source of income was questionable. He amassed enormous wealth after a very brief stay in Lagos state.
Lifestyle
editEzego led a flamboyant lifestyle whilst alive. He had chains of businesses, mansions, a vast collection of expensive automobiles and always travelled with a convoy. After his death, all his cars rusted and became useless and all his houses were abandoned because no one in the community wanted the products of Ezego's diabolical activities. Furthermore, all his businesses collapsed under strange circumstances.[1][5]
Death
editOn 25 December 1999, on his birthday, he was involved in a fatal automobile crash under bizarre circumstances.[1] Ezego hardly ever drove, rather he had a personal chauffeur whom he travelled with but on the day Ezego died in the crash, it was reported that he instructed the chauffeur not to drive and that he intended to drive himself.[1][2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Oluwafunmilayo, Akinpelu (1 December 2019). "Tragedy of Nigeria's King of Money (Ezego): His life, controversies and death". Legit.ng. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ a b Ellis, Stephen (November 2008). "The Okija Shrine: Death and Life in Nigerian Politics". The Journal of African History. 49 (3): 445–466. doi:10.1017/S0021853708003940. ISSN 1469-5138.
- ^ Adedeji, Oluwadamilola (9 November 2020). "History: The story of Ezego, Nigeria's King of Money". Daily Times. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ a b Odinaka; Odinaka (20 June 2017). "Nigeria's King of Money: The Untold Story of Igbo Tycoon, Victor Okafor, the Eze Ego 1 of Ihiala". Tori. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ The Life and Time of Ezego: His Business Empire, the Wealth He Left Behind Plus why He Died. Pars Communications, Limited. 1998.