Togolese Evelyne Hohoeto was recently sworn in as one of five Judges at OHADA’s CCJA

Justice

Friday, 17 August 2018 17:18

Togolese Evelyne Hohoeto was recently sworn in as one of five Judges at OHADA’s CCJA

(Togo First) - Appointed last November as one of the five judges of the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), Evelyne Hohoeto, High Magistrate and Executive Secretary of the National OHADA commission met with the press on August 16, at the Ministry of Justice. We thus had the opportunity to ask her a few questions regarding her new position.

Togo First: You were recently made magistrate at the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA) of OHADA. How did this happen?

Evelyne Hohoeto (E.H) : First, I am grateful to the President for allowing our Minister of Justice to submit my application when the position at CCJA was opened. We were 13 applicants and out of these, five were picked. We were appointed by OHADA’s ministers’ council, held on November 23 and 24, 2017, in Conakry, Guinea. We were later on June 28 sworn in in Abidjan.

T.F : So, what are your main responsibilities ?

E.H : Let me emphasize that candidates must come from different countries. Given that the court is Ohada’s highest court and since it acts as a court of cassation and Supreme Court for all 17 member states of the organization, our role and mission as judges is to build the Ohada’s jurisprudence. This jurisprudence‘s purpose is to harmonize laws and practices within Ohada which is actively engaged in the improvement of business climate in member states making them more attractive for investors. CCJA hence intervenes when two distinct parties are having a conflict related to business law, for example regarding corporate law. During the legal process, when one or both parties is not satisfied in first instance and files for appeal, it has to submit the case to the CCJA which plays a key role in the elaboration of the OHADA law.

T.F : You are the first Togolese to fill this position. It is therefore both an honor for you and for Togo as well…

E.H : Of course, it is an honor for my country, and for me also. I will represent Togo proudly and with much dynamism in order to honor it even more.

T.F : How long will you be holding this position ?

E.H : Judges are appointed for a 7-year non-renewable term, therefore I will hold this position for 7 years.

T.F : Have you already moved to Abidjan ?

E.H : Yes, I have since June 28, 2018, when I was sworn into office.

T.F : What do you have to say to close this interview ?

E.H : My country has always contributed to the expansion of Ohada. As permanent secretary, Togo was the one to lay the organization’s foundations, and help it walk its first steps. I am proud to represent Togo because I know I have its support and also I can rely on the seriousness of Togolese when it comes to doing a job well.

Caleb Akponou (Intern)

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