The Minority in Parliament has filed a motion demanding the immediate suspension of all parliamentary processes relating to the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice until ongoing legal challenges to the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo are fully resolved.
In the motion, the Minority cited Articles 110(1), 125–127, 144(1), and 146 of the 1992 Constitution, alongside relevant Standing Orders of Parliament, as the legal basis for their request. They are urging the House to halt the Appointments Committee’s vetting and any subsequent plenary debate or approval of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination.
The motion references several pending cases, including one currently before the ECOWAS Court of Justice (Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25), as well as others filed in Ghana’s Supreme Court and High Court, all contesting the legality of Justice Torkornoo’s removal from office.
As part of their demand, the Minority has called on the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, to appear before Parliament to brief members on the current status of the litigation. They are requesting details on the cases’ identities, the nature of any interim or conservatory orders, the reliefs being sought, and the potential implications for the position of the Chief Justice.
The motion further asks for clarification regarding Ghana’s obligations under regional treaties connected to the ECOWAS Court proceedings and seeks an official government position on the possible legal and constitutional consequences of proceeding with the nomination while the disputes remain unresolved.
The development follows President John Dramani Mahama’s nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to replace Justice Torkornoo and the announcement of his upcoming vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
