My uncle sold my dad a swamp and called it prime land

Two years ago, my uncle, my father's own younger brother, called him with a golden opportunity. 'Prime plot in Akure, Oga Deji senior. Triple your money in two years, I dey inside.' My father, retired civil servant, pension don finish, believed him. He sold his remaining assets, put everything into that land.

When we went to inspect, e be like film trick. Swamp everywhere. Government property, no title. My father's health collapsed. High blood pressure, hospital, the whole drama. My mother stopped speaking to my uncle's family. Sallah, Christmas, nothing. The family scattered like harmattan harmattan.

I had to call a family meeting. Me, the one they still call small boy, mediating between my father and his brother. And I was hiding my own wahala, consulting income don dry up that month. I had to borrow money for transport to Akure. The irony no be small.

At the meeting, my uncle said, 'I no know say the land get problem. The agent deceive me.' My father just looked at him and said, 'You don collect my pension. Go and collect am from God.'

We never recovered fully. My parents still talk to my uncle but the trust is gone. That day taught me say blood is thicker than water, but money can cut through anything. Even family. Especially family.

If anybody wey be your relation come to you with 'sure investment', run. Just run.