Mon. May 25th, 2026
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In 2022, Adetoun Adeojo, a Lagos-based woman, paid the sum of N35 million to David Amoye, the owner of Whitegate Homes, for a piece of land in Lekki, but she has yet to be declared the rightful owner of the land.

Adeojo told EQToday that shortly after purchasing the piece of land, she was informed it was on the path the government had marked for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. If she had begun to construct a structure on the land, it would have been demolished alongside other structures in April.

Adetoun’s receipt of payment.

“I paid him about N16 million for it, and when I was told about the consequences of erecting a structure on it, I told him I did not want the land again and requested my money. He refused to refund me and assured me he would give me a piece of land elsewhere. I was taken to inspect another land, and I sent more money to acquire it. I paid about N35 million in total,” said Adeojo.

Adetoun’s receipt of payment

She added that she had to pressure the company to hand her a deed of assignment for the land, but they refused, and she had to pressure Amoye into handing it over to her until he eventually did.

Adetoun’s deed of assignment for the land she purchased from Whitegate Homes

Adetoun’s deed of assignment for the land she purchased from Whitegate Homes

But the struggle for the land acquisition was far from over for her.

“After handing over the deed of assignment to me, they needed to allocate the land and make me the rightful owner of the land, which they refused to do. I kept pleading with them all through 2022,” said Adeojo.

“Nothing was done until I went to report the company to police officers at Panti. That was when he asked me to exercise some patience and assured me he would do what was needed by either giving me the land or returning my money with interest, but I haven’t received anything from him ever since. “

When EQToday contacted Amoye, he told this reporter that Adeojo once used the police to victimise two of his staff, accusing them of murder.

“When we discovered the first land she paid for was on the path of the place the government had marked for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, I asked her if she wanted a refund, but she said she wanted another land. We refunded as many people as possible and were willing to refund her.

“Fortunately for us, we found another piece of land. She indicated interest and paid the balance. But I was unaware that the person who sold the land had previously sold it to someone else. She kept lying about it until I involved the EFCC and she confessed.

He added that he informed Adeojo about the issue he had encountered with the company that sold him the land.

“I informed Mummy [referring to Adeojo] about all of it. One day, I received a call informing me that two of my staff had been arrested and were detained in Panti. When I went there, I heard it was Mrs. Adeojo who orchestrated the arrest. They were accused of murder and spent four nights in police custody,” he told EQToday.

EQToday asked Adeojo if it were true that Amoye offered to refund her, and she said he was lying.
The post Woman Paid Whitegate Homes N35m for Land in 2022. She’s Got Nothing appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.