By Oladapo Sofowora
At age 22, Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe hit a mega fortune, becoming a major player in the nation’s financial sector. Providence smiled on him and he became so powerful and influential in Nigeria’s political landscape. He was elected a Senator to represent Orlu first in 1999.
In November 2002, the then-Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim suspended Nzeribe indefinitely over an allegation of N22 million fraud. Also, in April 2006, the Orlu People’s Consultative Assembly, sponsored by the then Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, staged what it called a “One million march” to drum support for Nzeribe’s recall from the Senate. Due to popular demand, in December 2006, Nzeribe was defeated by Osita Izunaso during the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the 2007 Senatorial election.
After being ousted from the political glare, the moneybag has been in and out of the country for an alleged undisclosed illness which has also affected his fortunes deeply. Sources said he now resides in Abuja with his wife and is currently confined to a wheelchair.
Nzeribe’s palatial architectural masterpiece named ‘Haven of Peace’ (Mkpu Udo) in Oguta is the talk of the town at the moment. The mansion is said to be in a dilapidated state with the chalets named after his colleagues in the senate being taken over by rodents, weeds, and destructive termites. The property is even alleged to be housing dangerous reptiles as it has been abandoned with no possible facelift in sight. Not only is the filth that ravaged the place, but the sight of the rot also brought sorrow to the heart of those familiar with the house in its glory days. The house that serves as a mecca of sorts for many is now as silent as a graveyard. A source told Society Rendezvous that Nzeribe no longer has the financial power to maintain the once beautiful country-home due to his current health status.
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