A Review of Emmanuel Ayoola’s ‘The Wig and the Streets

“Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and other dreams. They are journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner,” – Neil Gaiman.

The beauty of the short story is the curiosity it awakens in us while offering clarity about the world we live in. it is almost like a poem, it presents you with a lot of connotations within a short space.

The Wig and the Streets is a collection of short stories on the travails of practicing law in Nigeria as a young wig. It takes us into the legal world of working with clients, office politics, litigation issues, law firms, courtroom shenanigans amongst others. Each story in the Wig and the Streets tells a tale of the realities of the legal system in Nigeria, while showing the antics involved in navigating the grey areas and blurred lines of this ‘noble’ profession.

The first story ‘Drumbeats of War’ opens the stage with a takeover of power by the military, the story is told through the lens of a human rights activist who is repulsed by the change from a democratic administration. The story details the torture and inhumane treatment suffered by people who are viewed as opposition to the military government. However, the story does not end without offering a glimpse of hope, highlighting that there is power in defiance and with a united front, the masses can effect the change they desire.

In ‘A Close Brush,’ the story takes us on a road trip with a fresh graduate who was posted to Katuri State for his NYSC amidst the bombing crisis in the North. He mistakenly labelled a man sitting beside him who is dressed in brown flowing robe with a turban wrapped around his head for a suicide bomber. While you may not blame him for his erroneous assumption, it further shows how stereotypes can be easily formed, thereby misleading people.

Short bursts of laughter are expected while reading ‘First Appearance’, every fresh out-of-school lawyer can definitely relate to the courtroom scenes in this story – the excitement, anxiety, thrill or even disappointment. Though you may be prepared for the task ahead but sometimes things do not go as expected, try to find the humour in it.

What’s the justice system in Nigeria without the police? The story ‘Police is your Friend’ gives us a sneak peek of how transactions are conducted at a Nigerian Police station. The story shows how a lawyer tries to get bail for his client, but the policemen try to arm twist him into paying for it. The phrases ‘Police is your friend’ and ‘Bail is free’ are the most implausible statements related to the Nigerian police system. Though, as paradoxical as it sounds; ‘Bail is free’ is accurate, but only on paper.

The Wig and the Streets is great read told in first person, the beauty of the prose is amplified by the use of literary expressions and its conversational style.

TITLE: The Wig and the Streets
AUTHOR: Emmanuel Ayoola
GENRE: Fiction (Short Stories)
NO. OF PAGES: 96
YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2022
ISBN: 978-1-100-21549-5
PUBLISHER: Herby Prints
REVIEWER: Torinmo Salau

The book is available at www.thewigandthestreets.com