The Court, composed of: Imani D. ABOUD, President; Modibo SACKO, VicePresident, Rafaâ BEN ACHOUR, Suzanne MENGUE, Tujilane R. CHIZUMILA, Chafika BENSAOULA, Blaise TCHIKAYA, Stella I. ANUKAM, Dumisa B. NTSEBEZA, Dennis D. ADJEI, Duncan GASWAGA - Judges, and Robert ENO, Registrar. The Matter of: HOUNGUE Éric NOUDEHOUENOU Represented by Mrs. Nadine DOSSOU SOKPONOU, Advocate of the Benin Bar, Member of Professional Civil Society of Lawyers (SCPA) Robert M. DOSSOU. Versus REPUBLIC OF BENIN Represented by Mr Iréné ACLOMBESSI, Legal Officer of the Treasury. After deliberation, Delivers this Ruling: I. THE PARTIES 1. Mr Houngue Éric NOUDEHOUENOU, (hereinafter referred to as “the Applicant”) is a national of Benin, an economist and tax specialist by training, sole owner and manager of the company, Tax Expertise Sarl (hereinafter referred to as “Tax Expertise”). He alleges violation of his rights in connection with legal proceedings by domestic courts following the nonperformance of a tax assistance contract concluded with a State-owned company, Société béninoise d'Energie électrique (hereinafter referred to as 1