I accommodated a friend in January this year. I was staying around Victoria Island, and I met her at the gym. Somehow, we became friends. She told me she had accommodation issues because her landlord had asked them to vacate the apartment. I literally told her she could stay for two weeks, in and out, because I don’t like people in my personal space for too long. Eventually, she stayed for two months without leaving. I didn’t know how to speak up. I provided everything and never made her uncomfortable. Instead, I made myself uncomfortable. One fateful day, I went to work and returned late but didn’t meet her. I called her, and she said she had travelled to Oyo State because her mum was sick. A week later, some people came knocking on my door, showing me her picture. They said she rented my apartment to them, had not given them receipts, and her number was no longer going through. I was confused and had to explain that I was the tenant. I even showed them my legal tenancy agreement with my name on it. It was a very chaotic moment for me. I had to involve my neighbours, and somehow other people got to know.
It turned out that she collected money from five people and disappeared, claiming she was travelling to the UK and would be leaving the house in a month’s time, so they could move in. This girl collected ₦2 million each from five people. They arrested me. I had to involve my landlady too. They told me to pay back their money if I couldn’t provide the girl. I had to let go of my apartment, sell everything inside it, sell my gadgets, and sell everything I owned just to pay ₦10 million. The following month, I was laid off from work. I became totally depressed. Crying became my comfort. I couldn’t afford to eat. I moved from one friend’s house to another. I borrowed phones to make calls. I couldn’t even afford women’s essentials. I have been broken for four months now and have remained in the same position. I had to use my friend’s phone to start a virtual assistance and AI creation course. I couldn’t even concentrate because she always needed to use her phone. Now I’m beginning to inconvenience her. Please, I need advice on what to do with my life now. I’m tired. I’m exhausted.
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