There is a saying that goes, “Show me your friend, and I will tell you who you are.” It is a popular expression people use to judge a person’s character. The saying suggests that if you associate with honest people, it means you are honest, and if your circle is dishonest or fraudulent, then you are likely the same.
Moreover, there is an adage in my locality that says, “A sheep that follows a dog will surely eat faeces.” This means that no matter how kind or good you are, if your circle is corrupt, you cannot truly claim to be a hundred per cent saint. That is just how life works, maybe not in all cases, but a good number of times, experience has proven this to be true.
However, some people argue that there are situations where you may find yourself among people who are not really in your calibre. This may be due to wealth, social class, or positions of influence, which sometimes bridge such gaps.
Why am I even talking about this or choosing this topic today? There was a particular guy who was posted on social media and was said to have been involved in fraudulent activities. He reportedly scammed a Romanian woman of over two million dollars by impersonating the Prince of Dubai. He was known as “Prince,” which I believe was his nickname. He was also seen posting pictures with Obi Cubana, the owner of luxurious hostels across the country.
This sparked a lot of conversations, with many people criticising Obi Cubana, suggesting that his hands might not be clean either. Others argued that, given the nature of his business, it is possible he was seen with such a person simply because they were customers. They further claimed that salary earners cannot easily afford his services, whereas such individuals can spend millions in one sitting without question. They often describe themselves by saying, “Money na water.”
Well, it is what it is, and just because someone takes a picture with another person does not necessarily mean they belong to the same group.
Another similar scenario involved a senator who was seen together with a notorious fraudster who was apprehended a few years ago. It was a popular case at the time. His name was Hushpuppy.
So, can we say they are also involved in the same activities? The truth is that we have to choose our friends or associations carefully so that we are not implicated whenever something goes wrong.
