The vetting process for Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie devolved into intense partisan disputes on Monday, resulting in a complete walkout by the Minority members of the Appointments Committee.
The Minority, under the leadership of Alexander Afenyo-Markin, declared its intention to boycott the proceedings, asserting that the nomination is illegitimate due to ongoing legal disputes concerning the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
“We are formally stating our rejection of the nomination, and it should be noted that the vetting report will reflect a Majority report,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin proclaimed before leaving the chamber.
The Minority contends that several cases currently pending before the Supreme Court, High Court, and ECOWAS Court render it inappropriate for Parliament to advance the consideration of a new Chief Justice. They argue that proceeding with the nomination process compromises judicial independence and prejudges issues that remain under judicial review.
However, the walkout was preceded by a fraught exchange between the two leaders in Parliament.
The conflict arose when Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga objected to Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s effort to deliver opening remarks during the vetting session. Mr. Ayariga asserted that the matters related to the nomination had already been discussed in Parliament, deeming further commentary unnecessary.
The situation intensified when Mr. Afenyo-Markin referred to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed Chief Justice nominee,” a description that Mr. Ayariga vehemently opposed. The Majority Leader maintained that such a statement was unsuitable for a vetting session and called for an apology and retraction, emphasizing that the committee was “not a courtroom.”
In response, Mr. Afenyo-Markin charged the Majority Leader with attempting to suppress dissenting opinions and undermine the Minority’s position in the constitutional process. He reiterated his concerns that Justice Torkornoo’s dismissal was enveloped in “opaque” circumstances — a remark that once again provoked objections from Mr. Ayariga.
The exchanges highlighted the growing partisan divisions regarding the selection of a new Chief Justice, with both parties exchanging accusations of bad faith and constitutional violations.
The Majority continued with the vetting process despite the boycott; however, the Minority has made it clear that they view the process as flawed, unconstitutional, and politically compromised.
Their walkout prepares the ground for a potential confrontation when the Appointments Committee presents its report to the full House.
