Difference between akara and beans?

Okay most Nigerians here would better understand me, I told someone I wanted to eat beans and custard for breakfast but the person was like eating both the same time is just wrong. I asked the person what about eating custard with akara, she was completely okay with this. When I asked what the difference what between beans and akara, she didn't give an answer but she said they where different. Is there actually any difference between beans and akara besides the methods used in making them?

Note: akara is actually a local meal here in Nigeria made from beans, it is also know as bean cake.

There is a difference but it's just akara is fried grinded beans but beans is cooked

I think both of the two look alike but the mode of cooking can differentiate one to the other.