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; he became so powerful and influential in the Nigeria’s political landscape. It would be recalled that; Nzeribe, was alleged to be the promoter of the infamous Association for a Better Nigeria, an organization that was instrumental to the annulment of MKO Abiola’s June 12, 1993 presidential election. He was later elected a Senator to represent Orlu first in 1999 and then 2003 spending billions of Naira.
In November, 2002, the then Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim suspended Nzeribe indefinitely over an allegation of a 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, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the 2007 Senatorial election, he was defeated by his closest rival, Osita Izunaso, who later emerged senator of the district.
For the past years the former billionaire has been in and out of the country for an alleged undisclosed illness and his fortunes have dwindled. Sources said he now resides in Abuja with his wife. He is currently being confined to a wheel chair. His palatial architectural masterpiece jaw-dropping mansion ‘Haven of Peace’ (Mkpu Udo) Estate in Oguta, his hometown, is said to be in a dilapidated state. ‘‘The chalets named after his colleagues in the senate have now been taken over by rodents, weeds, fungi and other destructive termites. The house is now occupied by dangerous reptiles. He no longer has the financial power to maintain the once beautiful country-home due to his current health status. Not only had the filth that ravaged the place, the sight of the rot brought sorrow to the heart of those familiar with the house in its glory days. The house that serves as a mecca of sort for many is now as silent as a grave yard’’. A source told CITYSPY.
