The Minority in Parliament has boycotted the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, by the Appointments Committee, citing unresolved legal and procedural issues surrounding his nomination.
Led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the group said it would not participate in what it described as an “illegitimate process”, arguing that the nomination is tainted by the ongoing court cases challenging the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
“We are registering our position that we reject this nomination, and the record should reflect that the vetting report will be a Majority report,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin declared during the committee’s sitting.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vetting comes amid controversy over the circumstances surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s removal — an action that the Minority and several civil society organisations have condemned as unconstitutional and politically driven.
The Minority insists that continuing with the vetting while multiple court challenges remain pending undermines judicial independence and the integrity of the appointment process.
Despite their boycott, the vetting proceeded with only Majority members of the committee present.
