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If My Country Had a Jury
Alade, an aspiring litigant, is recently employed in the Office of the Public Defender and incidentally charged with the task of prosecuting an affluent degenerate, with little in terms of evidence. Along with his friend and a colleague, they battle a legal shyster of stellar repute in a courtroom filled with biased jurors. Will justice prevail, or once again be defeated by the whims of the upper echelons? The outcome of the case will determine his future. The case has thrown him into the legal ocean; he must figure out a way to swim against the currents or drown in the tides of the legal profession. If My Country Had a Jury is a futuristic legal thriller.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 11, 2025
Initially when I started reading this book, I felt indignant at the authors’ portrayal of a 2050 Nigeria. There wasn’t much he could imagine for our country other than electric cars and robotic bartenders; the politics were the same, the infrastructure was the same, the mentality of the people remained the same. I was (and still am) dissatisfied with his limited vision of a futuristic Nigeria, especially because i have come to believe that we are built for so much more.
Nevertheless, the story picked up its pace. During the trails and the behind-the-scenes work that Alade and his team engaged in, I found myself respecting them, hoping for their success—although I struggled with Alade’s character. He was not a proud person, I don't think, but he could be condescending, and some of his comments about women were eye-roll worthy. Still, he had big shoes to fill, going up against the acclaimed Chief Fernandez, and boy did he fill them. Their drive, their vision, and the way Ajakaiye, in his simple way, shaped their personalities— almost comically distinct from one another— made their struggles feel real. They supported each other and were united in their desire to ensure justice for their client, Veronica, who was brutally raped by Femi Okinbaloye, son of the wealthy and influential Aare Okinbaloye. This forms the emotional core of the story.
Alade’s opening address at the start of the trial, felt like a war cry for the reality of womanhood in Africa, in Nigeria- to be defined first and always, by how you look, by how closely you measure up to cultural expectations:
"Females have always been judged by their appearance and not the context of their character. The woman's ideas, voices and aspirations have been relegated to the backroom of societal oblivion and buried in the trenches of cultural structures."
After reading that address, feeling his eagerness to fight, I forgave Alade his faults and found myself breathless, anxious, waiting to see where the trial would lead and which side the jury would favor.
Ajakaiye also highlights, quite profoundly, the corruption, classism and sexism rooted deeply in this country.
Aare Okinbaloye goes to such grotesque lengths to defend his useless son, (whom even his lawyer describes as "a snotnosed recalcitrant imp") and through him Ajakaiye reveals the diminished morality that accompanies unchecked power. The ease with which he resorts to threats, bribery, standby assassins, all for the sake of his reputation is distressingly familiar given what we know about the powerful in our nation. Aare comes as a representation of every wayward, selfish politician who uses wealth for personal acclaim and gain.
Then there's characters like Alhaji Abdulmalik, who cannot stand the thought of a woman leading the jury, and becomes the link that Aare uses to bribe the jurors. Through him Ajakaiye exposes how prejudice feeds corruption.
It feels like the same old tale of how the law bends beneath the rich and powerful, and yet the book also offers insight into how media scrutiny can temper their interference. The judge, (who was also in Okinbaloye's pocket mind you) was often forced to act with a semblance of impartiality simply because reporters were recording the trial. It is a subtle reminder that social media, when used intentionally, can function as a tool of accountability- Although that in itself is not a complete remedy for the rein-free corruption present here, especially given our laissez faire attitude towards political misconduct. But I digress, that's a conversation for another day.
I didn't expect to like this book, but I did. The inconclusive ending frustrated me because of how much i wanted to know the verdict of the case. I wanted to know what would be decided because whether the plaintiff won or lost felt, to me, like a metaphor for whether or not Nigeria could be saved. That uncertainty mirrors our real judicial system. Hopefully, the sequel brings clarity (and justice).
This is definitely a book worth reading, not for its vision of Nigeria's future (I really beg you, imagine more for this country than surface level technological advancement), but because it sheds light on the challenges facing our judicial system today, and how those challenges might evolve if we introduced a jury system.
I'd say that this book is more a reflection of present-day Nigeria than of our future. I am predisposed to believing that our future will be better than our present.
Hope you enjoy the book— and share my bias.
Nevertheless, the story picked up its pace. During the trails and the behind-the-scenes work that Alade and his team engaged in, I found myself respecting them, hoping for their success—although I struggled with Alade’s character. He was not a proud person, I don't think, but he could be condescending, and some of his comments about women were eye-roll worthy. Still, he had big shoes to fill, going up against the acclaimed Chief Fernandez, and boy did he fill them. Their drive, their vision, and the way Ajakaiye, in his simple way, shaped their personalities— almost comically distinct from one another— made their struggles feel real. They supported each other and were united in their desire to ensure justice for their client, Veronica, who was brutally raped by Femi Okinbaloye, son of the wealthy and influential Aare Okinbaloye. This forms the emotional core of the story.
Alade’s opening address at the start of the trial, felt like a war cry for the reality of womanhood in Africa, in Nigeria- to be defined first and always, by how you look, by how closely you measure up to cultural expectations:
"Females have always been judged by their appearance and not the context of their character. The woman's ideas, voices and aspirations have been relegated to the backroom of societal oblivion and buried in the trenches of cultural structures."
After reading that address, feeling his eagerness to fight, I forgave Alade his faults and found myself breathless, anxious, waiting to see where the trial would lead and which side the jury would favor.
Ajakaiye also highlights, quite profoundly, the corruption, classism and sexism rooted deeply in this country.
Aare Okinbaloye goes to such grotesque lengths to defend his useless son, (whom even his lawyer describes as "a snotnosed recalcitrant imp") and through him Ajakaiye reveals the diminished morality that accompanies unchecked power. The ease with which he resorts to threats, bribery, standby assassins, all for the sake of his reputation is distressingly familiar given what we know about the powerful in our nation. Aare comes as a representation of every wayward, selfish politician who uses wealth for personal acclaim and gain.
Then there's characters like Alhaji Abdulmalik, who cannot stand the thought of a woman leading the jury, and becomes the link that Aare uses to bribe the jurors. Through him Ajakaiye exposes how prejudice feeds corruption.
It feels like the same old tale of how the law bends beneath the rich and powerful, and yet the book also offers insight into how media scrutiny can temper their interference. The judge, (who was also in Okinbaloye's pocket mind you) was often forced to act with a semblance of impartiality simply because reporters were recording the trial. It is a subtle reminder that social media, when used intentionally, can function as a tool of accountability- Although that in itself is not a complete remedy for the rein-free corruption present here, especially given our laissez faire attitude towards political misconduct. But I digress, that's a conversation for another day.
I didn't expect to like this book, but I did. The inconclusive ending frustrated me because of how much i wanted to know the verdict of the case. I wanted to know what would be decided because whether the plaintiff won or lost felt, to me, like a metaphor for whether or not Nigeria could be saved. That uncertainty mirrors our real judicial system. Hopefully, the sequel brings clarity (and justice).
This is definitely a book worth reading, not for its vision of Nigeria's future (I really beg you, imagine more for this country than surface level technological advancement), but because it sheds light on the challenges facing our judicial system today, and how those challenges might evolve if we introduced a jury system.
I'd say that this book is more a reflection of present-day Nigeria than of our future. I am predisposed to believing that our future will be better than our present.
Hope you enjoy the book— and share my bias.
June 17, 2025
If My Country is a critical commentary of the Nigerian legal system whose choice of setting in the year 2050 makes one scratch their head. The book centers on a new lawyer, Alade, who teams up with his friends Ifeanyi and Temi to prosecute a high profile rape case against an affluent and well connected defendant.
If this were just a few years into the future rather than the year 2050, the concept would have been great. Unfortunately, the random futuristic elements seemed to pull me out of the story rather than add to it. In addition, the prose was stilted and the dialogues seemed unnatural and often little more than a way to convey information. Ajakaiye is no Shakespeare. Another problem is the tendency to sermonize. The author will randomly throw out statistics or facts regarding rape or some other social injustice that would have been much more relevant had the story not been so deeply futuristic. He would have been better off letting the story itself highlight this evil rather than pedanticly preach at the reader at random intervals.
The issue is a good one to write about. But the implementation leaves much to be desired.
If this were just a few years into the future rather than the year 2050, the concept would have been great. Unfortunately, the random futuristic elements seemed to pull me out of the story rather than add to it. In addition, the prose was stilted and the dialogues seemed unnatural and often little more than a way to convey information. Ajakaiye is no Shakespeare. Another problem is the tendency to sermonize. The author will randomly throw out statistics or facts regarding rape or some other social injustice that would have been much more relevant had the story not been so deeply futuristic. He would have been better off letting the story itself highlight this evil rather than pedanticly preach at the reader at random intervals.
The issue is a good one to write about. But the implementation leaves much to be desired.
Read
November 17, 2024An enjoyable book. Totally loved it. I’m a courtroom drama lover, and this is the first time I’m reading a fictional legal book with Nigerian characters! Well done to the author!
It’s futuristic and set in Nigeria 50 years from now.
It follows the story of Alade, a newly qualified lawyer, whose first case is to prosecute a rape.
His opposing council is a senior advocate who has never lost a case, and the defendant is the son of a very wealthy and corrupt man, who would go to any length to ensure his only son is acquitted.
Well written for the most part.
Engaging dialogue.
Realistic take on the typical mindsets and how many people can easily be bribed in Nigeria.
Having just been involved in an unfortunate business dealing with a Nigerian printing company, I totally agree that the problem with the country is not really the government. At grassroots level, many Nigerians would inflate prices, try to cheat and be dishonest.
The jury in this case was no different.
Did Alade manage to convince the jury to vote in his favour?
Or did the defence succeed in bribing them to vote not guilty?
Read this amazing book!
The only thing I’ll change is the tedious jury selection chapters! I breezed through them because I knew I wouldn’t remember them all.
Nonetheless, this was a brilliant book and I recommend for lovers of courtroom drama!
Summary: Nigeria is not ready for a jury system. Too much corruption for it to work. If a judge can be bribed, imagine how easy it would be for ordinary citizens!
It’s futuristic and set in Nigeria 50 years from now.
It follows the story of Alade, a newly qualified lawyer, whose first case is to prosecute a rape.
His opposing council is a senior advocate who has never lost a case, and the defendant is the son of a very wealthy and corrupt man, who would go to any length to ensure his only son is acquitted.
Well written for the most part.
Engaging dialogue.
Realistic take on the typical mindsets and how many people can easily be bribed in Nigeria.
Having just been involved in an unfortunate business dealing with a Nigerian printing company, I totally agree that the problem with the country is not really the government. At grassroots level, many Nigerians would inflate prices, try to cheat and be dishonest.
The jury in this case was no different.
Did Alade manage to convince the jury to vote in his favour?
Or did the defence succeed in bribing them to vote not guilty?
Read this amazing book!
The only thing I’ll change is the tedious jury selection chapters! I breezed through them because I knew I wouldn’t remember them all.
Nonetheless, this was a brilliant book and I recommend for lovers of courtroom drama!
Summary: Nigeria is not ready for a jury system. Too much corruption for it to work. If a judge can be bribed, imagine how easy it would be for ordinary citizens!
September 20, 2024
A futuristic legal thriller where Teslas are used as taxis.
Olabisi Ajakaiye masterfully blends social commentary with a raw and thought-provoking narrative in this book. The novel plunges into the intricacies of justice, accountability, and power dynamics at play in a deeply flawed system. With vivid characters , this book offers a gripping exploration of what it means to seek justice in a world where the odds are stacked against the you.
I loved the Alade and ifeanyi's friendship and how they brought in Temi into their team. (Temi is that badass tech girl you don't want to joke with)
Aare trying to bribe every single was just crazy.
I recommend this book a 100%, whether you're in to thriller or not. It's a relatable book to read.
Olabisi Ajakaiye masterfully blends social commentary with a raw and thought-provoking narrative in this book. The novel plunges into the intricacies of justice, accountability, and power dynamics at play in a deeply flawed system. With vivid characters , this book offers a gripping exploration of what it means to seek justice in a world where the odds are stacked against the you.
I loved the Alade and ifeanyi's friendship and how they brought in Temi into their team. (Temi is that badass tech girl you don't want to joke with)
Aare trying to bribe every single was just crazy.
I recommend this book a 100%, whether you're in to thriller or not. It's a relatable book to read.
August 24, 2024
This is by far the best Legal thriller I've read.
I'm forever a "romance" girlie. But this book had me on a chokehold from start till finish!.
The Author's writing style is unique, not complex and leaves you to thoroughly enjoy each of the character development.
If you love John Grisham, Jeffery Archer, and Sydney Sheldon, you should read this book.
I want to read over and over again!.
Excitedly looking forward to the sequel.
I'm forever a "romance" girlie. But this book had me on a chokehold from start till finish!.
The Author's writing style is unique, not complex and leaves you to thoroughly enjoy each of the character development.
If you love John Grisham, Jeffery Archer, and Sydney Sheldon, you should read this book.
I want to read over and over again!.
Excitedly looking forward to the sequel.
Read
June 2, 2025Remind me of that common saying about knowledge again - “knowing something about everything and knowing everything about something” right? - Yes! That works!
And that depicts the intellectual “A” game that is reflected in the legal thriller - IF MY COUNTRY HAD A JURY by Olabisi Ajakaiye.
The plot doesn’t only reveal how corruption can deeply infiltrate our society, it also imagines the significant impact that it can have on our judiciary, if our country had a jury system. As a work of fiction, the author’s imagination of a jury system in a country like ours is so remarkable. Worthy of note is the author’s powerful forward-thinking imagination into the year 2050 and beyond, where the future of Tech in Nigeria was pictured.
The projection of transportation through electric cars made me picture amusingly the reactions of tenacious Nigerians aboard low battery electric vehicles that are far away from the charging station. I can imagine the level of cussing, fights etc that civilisation may either reduce or even upgrade by then.
Although the projection of more robots replacing human jobs is not new, hoever, judging by our current level of economic drain, the realisation of the effect of robot-related civilisation on our dear country’s workforce due to an increase or decrease in population come 2050, are better not imagined. I’ll stop here, so I don’t drop a spoiler with an innocent face.
Themes are ambition, teamwork, corruption, justice, friendship etc.
Warning! - It’s gonna be hard to close the book for other demanding priorities. Curious minds would be thrilled to open every page to quench their thirst.
Perks of this good read include brief insights into a wide range of professions, and it has inspired me to add a similar story by John Grisham - The Appeal - to my list of ‘to-reads’.
#fiction
#goodread
#olabisiajakaiye
#bookreview
#legalthriller
#legal
#ifmycountryhadajury
And that depicts the intellectual “A” game that is reflected in the legal thriller - IF MY COUNTRY HAD A JURY by Olabisi Ajakaiye.
The plot doesn’t only reveal how corruption can deeply infiltrate our society, it also imagines the significant impact that it can have on our judiciary, if our country had a jury system. As a work of fiction, the author’s imagination of a jury system in a country like ours is so remarkable. Worthy of note is the author’s powerful forward-thinking imagination into the year 2050 and beyond, where the future of Tech in Nigeria was pictured.
The projection of transportation through electric cars made me picture amusingly the reactions of tenacious Nigerians aboard low battery electric vehicles that are far away from the charging station. I can imagine the level of cussing, fights etc that civilisation may either reduce or even upgrade by then.
Although the projection of more robots replacing human jobs is not new, hoever, judging by our current level of economic drain, the realisation of the effect of robot-related civilisation on our dear country’s workforce due to an increase or decrease in population come 2050, are better not imagined. I’ll stop here, so I don’t drop a spoiler with an innocent face.
Themes are ambition, teamwork, corruption, justice, friendship etc.
Warning! - It’s gonna be hard to close the book for other demanding priorities. Curious minds would be thrilled to open every page to quench their thirst.
Perks of this good read include brief insights into a wide range of professions, and it has inspired me to add a similar story by John Grisham - The Appeal - to my list of ‘to-reads’.
#fiction
#goodread
#olabisiajakaiye
#bookreview
#legalthriller
#legal
#ifmycountryhadajury
January 14, 2025
📖If My Country Had a Jury
✍🏼Olabisi Ajakaiye
Alade, fresh out of law school and eager to prove himself, lands a job at the Office of the Public Defender. On just his second day, he stumbles into a high-stakes case, one meant for the seasoned lawyers in the office. With no prior experience, he pulls together an unlikely team: his best friend Ifeanyi and Temi, a tech-savvy colleague.
The case pits Alade and his team against a formidable legal icon in a trial where the stakes couldn’t be higher. The plaintiff is determined to seek justice, and a 12-person jury is assembled to decide the accused’s fate. Despite the odds stacked against them and minimal evidence to work with, Alade’s trio delivers a remarkable performance in court, holding their own against the legal heavyweight.
But the courtroom drama isn’t the only battle. Behind the scenes, the accused’s influential father is pulling strings to sway the outcome. As the trial unfolds, tensions rise, and the final verdict leaves everyone stunned.
This futuristic legal thriller is a gripping read, filled with twists and moral dilemmas. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys courtroom dramas with a modern twist. And with so many lingering questions, I can’t wait for the sequel to shed light on what happens next!
✍🏼Olabisi Ajakaiye
Alade, fresh out of law school and eager to prove himself, lands a job at the Office of the Public Defender. On just his second day, he stumbles into a high-stakes case, one meant for the seasoned lawyers in the office. With no prior experience, he pulls together an unlikely team: his best friend Ifeanyi and Temi, a tech-savvy colleague.
The case pits Alade and his team against a formidable legal icon in a trial where the stakes couldn’t be higher. The plaintiff is determined to seek justice, and a 12-person jury is assembled to decide the accused’s fate. Despite the odds stacked against them and minimal evidence to work with, Alade’s trio delivers a remarkable performance in court, holding their own against the legal heavyweight.
But the courtroom drama isn’t the only battle. Behind the scenes, the accused’s influential father is pulling strings to sway the outcome. As the trial unfolds, tensions rise, and the final verdict leaves everyone stunned.
This futuristic legal thriller is a gripping read, filled with twists and moral dilemmas. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys courtroom dramas with a modern twist. And with so many lingering questions, I can’t wait for the sequel to shed light on what happens next!
August 14, 2025
Loved it. Hoping for part 2 soon.
Based in 2050, I don’t think it was necessary as it didn’t add much.
Based in 2050, I don’t think it was necessary as it didn’t add much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2025
Final rating: 2 stars
I really wanted to love this book, I really did. I’ll post my full review later.
I really wanted to love this book, I really did. I’ll post my full review later.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews