Lagos high society was recently thrown into mourning when the death of Ben Ikimi, the man many fondly called The King of Style was announced. For y
Lagos high society was recently thrown into mourning when the death of Ben Ikimi, the man many fondly called The King of Style was announced.
For years, Ben who was the younger brother of Tom Ikimi, a former minister of foreign affairs, was synonymous with elegance, taste, and an effortless sense of class that few could match. But behind the glitter and champagne nights, his final days were spent far from the limelight — in the quiet embrace of his country home in Igueben, Edo State.
Ben had quietly relocated to Igueben a few years ago, choosing to swap the fast-paced Lagos life for the peace and simplicity of the countryside. Those who knew him well say he loved the serenity — the rustling trees, the gentle hum of the countryside, and the freedom to reflect away from the chaos of the city. There were whispers that he had been nursing an undisclosed ailment, but because he was known to be private and reserved, most of his high-flying friends assumed he had simply chosen a quieter life after years of living large.
Sources close to the family revealed that Ben may have died from smoke poisoning believed to have been caused by a faulty air conditioner plug that sparked due to power fluctuations. He was said to have been asleep when the incident occurred, and by the time help arrived, it was too late. It was a painful, quiet end for a man whose life had been anything but quiet.
Since his passing, his circle of old friends — a network of business magnates, industrialists, and political heavyweights — have come together to honor him in grand style. These men, bound by years of shared laughter, business deals, and private camaraderie, called “The Circle of Friends” — a gathering of over a hundred billionaires and prominent figures — are coordinating what they describe as a befitting burial for their departed friend.
