Togo hosts national finals of the 17th OHADA International Geniuses Competition

The Auditorium of the University of Lomé became the epicenter of legal brilliance on May 30, 2026, as it hosted the national finals of the 17th edition of the International Geniuses Competition OHADA (CIGHO). The event, co-organized by the National Coordination of CIGHO in Togo and the International Association of Law Students (AIEJ-Togo), followed rigorous preselection rounds held simultaneously in Lomé and Kara on April 25, 2026.

The ceremony kicked off with opening remarks from the Master of Ceremonies, Pirénam BLANDE, former President of AIEJ-Togo. This was followed by speeches from Messifa Komlan KONALI, the National Coordinator and Magistrate, Saturnin Sassou A. AGBLO-NOAMESSI, Division Head at the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) and a key partner, and Têko Seyram Godwin AMENYINU, Project Manager of the 17th CIGHO edition and a Doctor in Private Law and Attorney. These addresses paved the way for the written exams.

Under the guidance of Messifa Komlan KONALI, ten finalists from the University of Lomé, the University of Kara, and the Higher Institute of Law and Interpretation (ISDI) faced a battery of tests: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), African Integration Questions (QIA), the “Who Am I?” challenge, and a mock courtroom session.

Following the written exams and a performance by slam poet MERCY, the finalists delivered ten-minute legal arguments on the topic: “Can tax law be integrated into OHADA’s scope of competence?” before a distinguished jury comprising:

• Pr Edem AVEGNON, Professor of Private Law, Researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Lomé, and Tax Law Expert: Jury President;
• Ms. Afeignidou BILABINA, Magistrate and Deputy Prosecutor at the Notsè Republic Prosecutor’s Office: Jury Member;
• Me Sidick K. AKATA, Trainee Attorney at the Togolese Bar and 2025 Monferrier Dorval CIB Oratory Competition Finalist: Jury Member;
• Dr Godwin Disseyi PALOUKI, Jurist, Tax Inspector, and 2018 CIGHO Best Thesis Award Winner: Jury Member;
• Ms. Rahile MIJIYAWA, Jurist, Technical Advisor at an international cooperation organization and 2021 CIGHO Best Advocate Award Winner: Jury Member.

After tallying scores from both written exams and oral arguments, three standout finalists emerged, ranked in order of merit:

• 1st place: Ms. Atsoupi Ama NEGLO, Bachelor’s Degree in Public Law from the University of Kara;
• 2nd place: Mr. Francis Koffi FIA, Bachelor’s Degree in Private Law Student at the University of Lomé;
• 3rd place: Mr. Edoé F. Ulrich MENSAH-GAFAN AKOVI, Master’s Degree Student in Digital Law and Data Protection at ISDI.

The top three will represent Togo at the international finals, where they will receive specialized coaching from a team of former CIGHO winners: Mr. Koamivi AGBAH, Mr. Obed Adjévi NEGLOKPE, and Mr. Bilal BABA DARO.

The event concluded with prize distributions, photo sessions, and refreshments. Gratitude was extended to key partners including the Togolese Revenue Office (financial support), the University of Lomé (institutional support), and the African Union for Legal Unification (UNIDA) for providing participants with legal reference materials. Special thanks were also given to Me Théophile Komi ATSU-DETE, Me Fiatuwo Kwadjo SESSENOU, Me Nadikpa Komla AKPOSSOGNA, and Me Berthrand Kunalessè ATCHOU for their financial contributions. The jury’s diligent work and the unwavering efforts of AIEJ-Togo’s President Marie-Claire Egnonam AVLA, the Kara University OHADA Club, and its representatives Alika AYEBA and Assiki GNASSINGBE were also acknowledged for their roles in the preselection process.

The countdown begins for the international finals, set to take place in Lomé from September 12 to 19, 2026.