Chief Barrister Innocent Chukwudi Egwim was born to the family of late Pa Eugene and late Mrs. Sabina Egwim of Umuokwaraosonwanneya Village in Isiokpo Autonomous Community of Ideato north local government area of Imo State. His birth took place at Apamu in the present day Osun state, where his Father Pa Eugene Egwim lived with his family. Nzeribe as he was fondly known and addressed by his associates and fans on the social circle was the last child of the family of six.
Nzeribe spent most of his adult life in Yoruba land, his businesses, family and social life all revolved around western Nigeria and among the Yoruba folks. He was at home with Yoruba culture and language, he took various traditional titles from Obas in various towns and communities within the Yoruba region. Prominent among them is the title of Ekerin Bashorun of Ibadan land, which was given to him by the then Olubadan Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Operinde Isale Ijebu – 1993-1999.
Barrister Innocent Chukwudi Egwim was a man of great influence, repute and power within his community of origin; Isiokpo in Ideato North local government area of Imo State. He was at a time both town Union Lagos branch chairman and president general of the town for two consecutive terms, and it is on record that his regime brought many developmental strides within the community. The king of his town, HRH Eze Raphael Ofonze the Ezedike 11 of Isiokpo in appreciation of his legendary leadership bestowed on him the chieftaincy title of Akuabata 1 of Isiokpo, and Dim Onwa gburugburu 1 of Isiokpo.
His philanthropic gestures extended to other communities around and beyond Ideato North Local government Area, these communities and towns honored him with chieftaincy titles in recognition of his contributions to their development. This lays credence to the fact that when he came home to contest for a seat in the Imo state House of Assembly for the Ideato North state constituency, his campaigns were hurricanes that swept through the entire local government, and he was massively voted for. His massive efforts and contributions at the House of Assembly earned him a second term, despite the fact that his second electioneering campaign was on the platform of a little known AA party (Action Alliance). This is a record to his name, as no one before him was able to secure a second term in Ideato North state constituency of the Imo State house of assembly.
True to his nature, until his passing, Nzeribe held the record for the highest number of bills and motions a house member has been able to present in a single term in office. Everything that Nzeribe touched in his lifetime both in business, his social interaction, politics, and academics recorded massive successes. He was a very prominent social figure whose social network and philanthropic influence attracted the attention of many musicians, and they in turn sang his praises. Kwam 1, Obesere, Pasuma, olaiya, Sunny Ade, Ayinde Barrister, Morrocco Maduka, Periccomo Okoye just to mention but a few all sang and praised his name in their musics.
From Ikeja, to Ibadan, to Ilesa, to London, to imo state, Rt Honorable Barriater Innocent Chukwudi Egwim left indelible memories. His presence at social gathering s came with electrifying moments which left both the celebrant, musicians, and the people smiling home.
Nzeribe was a successful businessman with considerable interest in computers and computer accessories, stationeries, building materials, motor spare parts, and hotels. His Head office at 63, Obafemi Awolowo way Ikeja Lagos which houses his company Arthurm Holdings Ltd was a destination for friends, family and associates during the week days while his Ibadan office at 53, Awolowo way, Oke-Bola, Dugbe Ibadan was designated for weekends from where friends and business associates gathered for an onward movement to wherever the weekend will be enjoyed.
Despite his successes in business and the societal accolades he enjoyed, Arthur believed and was convinced within himself that something was missing. This yet to be fulfilled desire and dream took him back to school. He had told anyone who cares to listen that he had a childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. To this end, he went to the University of East London to get a diploma in criminology and subsequently Queen Mary University, London for a law degree (LLB). He also got his LLM from the prestigious University of Lagos. He went to the Nigeria law school, Bwari Abuja for his Bar 1 and Bar part 2 programs which he completed in record time. Furthermore, he was called to the Nigeria Bar as a Barrister and solicitor of the supreme court of Nigeria in 2009. He operated his law firm; Innocent Egwim & Co. (Akuabata Chambers) at Adeniyi Jones Ikeja Lagos and was a member of the Nigeria Bar Association Ikeja branch.
Having actualized his educational pursuits, he joined politics in imo state and was elected for two terms as the honorable member representing Ideato state constituency at the Imo state House of Assembly between 2015-2023 under APC (All Progressives congress), and AA (Action Alliance).
He was on course to vie for the federal House of Representatives seat for the Ideato federal constituency under APGA (All Progressives Grand Alliance). This journey could not be successfully completed due to his battle with prostate disease, which took his life on the 27th of March 2023.
Nzeribe was a trailblazer, an enigma, a goal getter, a social general, a community leader, legal luminary, and a maverick politician of repute. Arthurm Holdings came, he saw, he conquered and left an indelible mark on the sands of history. As a mortal being, he succumbed to the path of all humans, and was buried on the 12th day of May 2023 in his Akuabata mansion in his hometown Isiokpo. The carnival like burial attracted reputable people from all walks of life, and the whole local government was on hold for the three days the burial ceremony lasted.
Nzeribe was a devoted Catholic, he was married and was blessed with many children and grandchildren.
