Today we talk about Justice Deprived, a book by Tobias Elate Fotoh, published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Tobias Elate Fotoh, to get to know him better, where he found the inspiration to write his book Justice Deprived, as well as how he chose the title of his book.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write this story?
The story, justice deprived though written as a fiction, is a true-life story. I was inspired first of all by the fact that as a victim of circumstance to injustice, I s the need to cry out loud to the world, and the only way to do that was to write the story and exposed this mal-practice that is so common today in communities. Many young men in society today, with great talents and initiatives do not get the chance, or opportunity to showcase their talents, and even when they do, they are being marginalized, manipulated and even sidelined and pushed out by their sponsors or financers. Whether in business, politics, music, football, cinema, it is most a times the case especially here in Africa. In the style of writing, I was inspired by the way Shakespeare wrote his stories, especially the introduction of the scenes. I read many of his books such as the merchant of Venice, Macbeth, as you like it, Romeo and Juliet etc. I was a dramatist and acted in many drama pieces as a student and this inspired me to write the story as a drama, as while writing I could get a glimpse of the scenes in my mind’s eye. So, I got the inspiration, to write this story justice deprived as a victim of circumstance, from the writing style of Shakespeare and as a dramatist. I acted in a drama titled “Sov Mbang the soothsayer” by Sankie Maimo a Cameroonian author. The idea of getting my work, this work acted, did also greatly inspire me.
- What are the human and character traits of the protagonists and how they evolve in the events of history?
The protagonists in the story are Mrs. Nil and her husband, Mr. Nil, chairman of the social democratic party who preach equal rights and opportunities to all, slogan of their party. By the time you read through the story, you realize that they are a couple that seem to have contrasting characters as portrayed. Mrs. Nil, at the beginning looks very welcoming, caring in the way she receives Teko and finally accepts to finance the business initiative he presents to her whereas, her husband, Mr. Nil, the politician exposes himself, his true nature as a selfish, money minded tyrant as seen when after eating, the food flask is taken away; but after seeing the money that Teko and Melo brought to buy goods, instructs his wife, tells her to give them food to eat. He exposes another shameful character, when he calls his guest, one after another to give them two candies each. He also shows how dishonest he is, when behind Teko’s back, he invites boss of Ami shop to Binlo, gives him a “VIP” treat and tells him not to buy goods from Teko who is supposed to handle the sales and marketing of the products. And this is when he seals his master plan of double-crossing Teko and pushing him out of business, “stealing by false pretense”; and as a cheat confiscates the money given as a deposit by Teko and Melo for the goods ordered from England. He proofs his wickedness by frustrating Teko’s project of organizing an exposition to relaunch business between camwood-land, his homeland and England to which affect he did contact the British High Commissioner in Camwood-land and received the approval of the Economic Attache at the Embassy. The hidden character of Mr. Nil as a dictator, self-centered person is further exposed as Mrs. Nil, with the submissive nature of a real African woman stands by her husband and is finally pushed to death as shall be revealed in justice deprived 2, the aftermath.
- What would you like to hear from your readers?
As an Author, it certainly is my delight to hear from everyone who reads my work, and as such, I would like to get their impression about the book. Their criticism is very much welcome and will be appreciated. And also, any amendments that could be made or considerations that they deem very necessary. We might have justifications for certain things we do, say or write, and our justifications could be either right or wrong and even criticized, but like one of my elderly kinsmen, chief, prof Greg Fonsah once said to me, “no matter whatsoever you come faced with when doing something, never give up especially when you know, you are doing the right thing”. He said if you are a cleaner, strive to be the best”. “Without criticism, there can be no progressive change, especially with human behavior” I am waiting to hear from those who read my work, to get their own stories in this light, as their perspective will help us in some way in our plight for justice. As an advocate for justice, I need them and their support. The foundation of good governance lies on the bedrock of justice.
- How did you choose the title of your book?
This is a wonderful question. I will start by saying that; I have had to write this story that is before publishing, three times. The first time I wrote the story, I did title if, the politician. The idea then was why not expose this dubious politician whom the people are so blindly following and who has proven himself by what he has done to Teko, the main character of the story. If Mr. Nil, the politician could deny Telco, food to eat, I mean livelihood then what would become of Camwood land if he becomes President. When Teko takes his case to the court in Binlo, after being double crossed by Mrs. Nil with the complicity of her husband, we see that after the investigations are made, that was after they could not come to any amicable or out of court settlement, the Senior State Counsel of Binlo refuses to send the case to court on courts that it would cause political tension and at Boom city, Judgement is passed, that the courts of Boom city do not have the jurisdiction to handle the case after about thirteen adjournments. Whereas the hidden reason is that if Teko had put but a civil case the matter would be settled but with a criminal case Mr. and Mrs. Nil are most likely to be convicted; and in some way to protect the politician and the political system in place, Teko is the one to suffer by being denied justice. That is the reason I gave the title justice deprived. The law seems to protect and safeguard the criminal.
- Are you planning to write more books?
Yes of course, I am planning to write more books. I am still to complete work on Justice deprived 2, the Aftermath; which exposes in a way the justice system of Camwood-land as is the case with the matter of Teko and also the dichotomy between politics, business and justice. It also exposes the end of Mrs. Nil and how she collapses and dies after being confronted by an emissary from the Supreme Control of the State. This happens when Teko is told by a senior state Authority to go back to the court, this time with a civil suit. As of now, I just finished work on a book that will be titled “THE LIBERATION OF A PEOPLE, NATION…”, which comprises many writings with different sub-tittles:
- the chariot of the gods worships the highest God? a revelation God gave to me when the mount Cameroon erupted in March 1999;
- 2008, praying for Cameroon – God revealed that he wants to manifest his presence in Cameroon;
- A revolution for the manifestation of the glory, a revolution against self;
- Saved from drugs, how I was saved from drugs;
- My salvation story, how I encountered Jesus;
- “Paix à ton âme” in English let your soul rest in peace.
This work has been sent for typing and in a few weeks should be ready to be sent to a publishing house.
Europe Books thanks the author Tobias Elate Fotoh once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside him on the editorial path that led to the publication of his book Justice Deprived. We wish him the best of luck for his book and for his future works.
To you, my dear reader, I wish that this book intrigues you and keeps you glued to reading, that the stories of the 2 main protagonists, not only captivate you but at the same time provide you with useful food for thought that you can apply in your everyday life!
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy this very interesting and intriguing reading!
Your editor!