Victor Okafor: Nigeria’s ‘King of Money’ whose car garage was valued at ₦1bn but died at 34

While many may have forgotten or never heard of the name Victor Okafor, the title Ezego remains unforgettable to those who witnessed his reign as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest individuals.

Ezego’s Early Life

Victor Nnamdi Okafor was born on December 25, 1964, in Uzoakwa, Ihiala, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. He attended Uzoakwa Primary School, where his grass-to-grace story began. However, he dropped out of Abbot Boys’ Secondary School, Ihiala, before venturing into business.

His life took a different turn when he was arrested for being part of a robbery gang that terrorized Onitsha traders. This incident led his father to disown him, forcing him to flee to Umudutu, his mother’s village. There, he faced further hardships before eventually relocating to Lagos in 1989.

Victor Becomes Ezego in Lagos

Upon arriving in Lagos, Victor’s fortunes changed drastically. He connected with a mentor and quickly amassed immense wealth. However, many speculated that he engaged in Ogu Ego (money rituals), which allegedly facilitated his rapid financial success.

In Lagos, he established the Ezego Shopping Complex on Allen Avenue (with another branch in Abuja) and the Ezego Plaza on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road.

Ezego’s Family Life

Ezego married Laurita Nkechi, a princess from Akata in Imo State, and had eight children with her. He also fathered children with other women. To this day, the whereabouts of his wife and children remain unknown.

Ezego’s Untimely Death

Although Ezego’s life was surrounded by mystery and controversy, his death was even more so. He died on December 25, 1999, at the age of 34.

Every December, Ezego would travel to Ihiala to flaunt his wealth, bless people with gifts, and throw extravagant parties. Before his planned homecoming in 1999, he hosted a lavish pre-Christmas party in Lagos.

Instead of flying in a private jet—despite his wealth—Ezego opted for a road trip due to the frequent air crashes at the time.

However, his journey took a tragic turn. His Cherokee Jeep broke down along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and later suffered a complete failure in Asaba, Delta State. Instead of abandoning the vehicle, he insisted on towing it using his Lexus car.

While driving from Asaba, Ezego’s Lexus hit a pothole, leading to a fatal accident. He was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, a facility he had previously donated ₦15 million to. Though initially stable, all medical efforts to save him failed.

His family attempted to transfer him to Port Harcourt for better treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Following his death, chaos erupted among his family members, and his vast wealth, including luxury mansions and exotic cars, was abandoned and left to ruin.

Ezego’s Wealth and Legacy

At the height of his wealth, Ezego owned numerous mansions across Nigeria, including a glass house. By 1999, his net worth was estimated at ₦500 million.

He was also known for his extravagant love of cars, reportedly owning the largest private car garage in Africa.

According to Nigeria Stories, “He was always purchasing the latest vehicles and keeping them in his garages in Ihiala and Lagos. At one point, his garage alone was valued at nearly ₦1 billion. He once paid ₦14 million for just two luxury cars—a Sedan Lincoln Continental Mark 8 and a Mercedes Benz R230 convertible from Moontrends.”

He reportedly left behind countless state-of-the-art cars, 70 houses all over Nigeria and overseas and billions of naira in his bank account after his demise.

His mysterious rise and tragic fall remain one of Nigeria’s most fascinating and controversial wealth stories.