By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus on Wednesday filed a motion to suspend all proceedings including vetting, plenary, and approval related to Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination as Chief Justice until outstanding court cases concerning the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo are resolved.
In a motion filed at the Speaker’s office, the Minority lawmakers urged the Speaker to halt all proceedings by the Appointment Committee, citing ongoing cases before both the High Court and the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
The applicants of the motion are the Asante Akim Central MP, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, Suame MP, John Darko, Trobu MP Gloria Owusu, Afigya Kwabre South MP, Damata Salam Ama Appianimaa, Gushegu MP, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli and Ejisu MP, Kwabena Boateng.
They reference specific constitutional provisions (Articles 110(1), 125-127, 144(1), 146) and relevant Standing Orders of Parliament.
The motion also calls for the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to brief Parliament on all pending suits related to Torkornoo’s removal, including a case before the ECOWAS Court of Justice, applications before Ghana’s Supreme Court and High Court.
It also includes the status of any interim or provisional orders, reliefs sought, Ghana’s international obligations under related treaties.
The minority argues that proceeding with the vetting while the legal challenge to Torkornoo’s removal is unresolved undermines due process and could prejudice the judiciary’s legitimacy.
They point out that Baffoe-Bonnie is currently Acting Chief Justice while these proceedings are ongoing, which raises questions about the transparency and propriety of the appointment process.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination by President John Dramani Mahama followed the suspension and subsequent dismissal of the former Chief Justice, Torkornoo.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has already referred the President’s nominee for the Chief Justice position to the Appointments Committee for vetting and approval or otherwise.
The Appointments Committee has subsequently scheduled the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee for November 10, 2025.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has indicated the NPP legislators will participate in the vetting but will hold the process to account on constitutional concerns. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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