Togolese champions emerge in national finals of OHADA Geniuses in Training competition
The Auditorium of the University of Lomé played host to the climax of the Togolese phase of the International Geniuses in Training OHADA Competition (CIGHO) on May 30, 2026, following rigorous preliminary rounds held simultaneously in Lomé and Kara on April 25.
The grand finale kicked off at 2:00 PM with opening remarks delivered by Pirénam BLANDE, former President of the Togolese branch of the International Association of Law Students (AIEJ-TOGO). Keynote speeches followed from Messifa Komlan KONALI, National Coordinator and Magistrate, alongside representatives from the Togolese Revenue Authority (OTR), including Saturnin Sassou A. AGBLO-NOAMESSI, Division Head at OTR, and Têko Seyram Godwin AMENYINU, Project Manager for the 17th edition and a Private Law Doctor and Attorney. The stage was then set for the written examination phase.
Under the guidance of Messifa Komlan KONALI, the ten finalists—selected from the University of Lomé (UL), University of Kara (UK), and the Higher Institute of Law and Interpretation (ISDI)—faced a battery of tests, including Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ), African Integration Questions (QIA), “Who Am I?” identification, and a mock courtroom defense.
Following the written assessments and a lively performance by slam poet MERCY, the finalists took center stage for their ten-minute oral arguments on a pressing legal question: “Can tax law be integrated into OHADA’s material jurisdiction?”. A distinguished judging panel evaluated their presentations:
- Pr Edem AVEGNON, Private Law Professor and Tax Specialist at the University of Lomé, served as Jury President;
- Afeignidou BILABINA, Magistrate and Deputy Prosecutor at Notsè Republic Court, acted as a member;
- Sidick K. AKATA, Trainee Lawyer and 2025 Monferrier Dorval CIB Oratory Competition finalist, was a member;
- Dr Godwin Disseyi PALOUKI, Tax Inspector and 2018 CIGHO Best Thesis Prize winner, joined as a member;
- Rahile MIJIYAWA, International Cooperation Legal Advisor and 2021 CIGHO Best Advocate Prize winner, completed the panel.
After calculating cumulative scores from both written and oral rounds, the top three performers were announced. The podium stood as follows:
- 1st place: Miss Atsoupi Ama NEGLO, Bachelor’s Degree in Public Law from the University of Kara;
- 2nd place: Mr. Francis Koffi FIA, Private Law Bachelor’s student at the University of Lomé;
- 3rd place: Mr. Edoé F. Ulrich MENSAH-GAFAN AKOVI, Master’s student in Digital Law and Data Protection at ISDI.
The victorious trio will now prepare to represent Togo on the international stage, guided by a coaching team of former winners: Koamivi AGBAH, Obed Adjévi NEGLOKPE, and Bilal BABA DARO.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony, celebratory photos, and refreshments. Gratitude was extended to key partners including the Togolese Revenue Authority (financial sponsor), the University of Lomé (institutional support), and the African Union for Legal Unification (UNIDA) through its representative Têko Seyram Godwin AMENYINU, who provided essential legal resources. Additional thanks went to the Presidents of the Lomé Court of First Instance and Commercial Court, local law firms, and notaries for their sponsorship.
Special recognition was given to the judging panel, the AIEJ-TOGO team led by President Marie-Claire Egnonam AVLA, and the OHADA Club of the University of Kara, represented by Alika AYEBA and Assiki GNASSINGBE, for their pivotal roles in organizing successful preliminary rounds.
The countdown now begins for the international finals, scheduled for September 12–19, 2026, in Lomé.
For further inquiries, contact:
Messifa Komlan KONALI, Magistrate and National Coordinator of the competition
Phone: +228 92 62 49 52
Email: [email protected]
