Chaos Erupts as Minority Walks Out Over Chief Justice Nominee’s Vetting
Appointment Committee of Parliament on Nov 10 for the vetting of CJ nominee Justice Paul Baffoe- Bonnie
Accra, Ghana – Tensions ran high in Parliament as the vetting of Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie descended into chaos, with the Minority Caucus walking out after a heated exchange over whether the process should proceed while former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s case challenging her removal remains before the Supreme Court.
The vetting session began under intense scrutiny when Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin demanded that Parliament suspend the process, citing Order 217 of Parliament’s Standing Orders and Articles 125 (3) and 127 (2) of the 1992 Constitution, which safeguard judicial independence and prohibit legislative interference in active court matters.
“The House must take its hands off the motion and allow the judiciary properly mandated under the Constitution to determine the matter,” Afenyo-Markin argued, adding that proceeding would “amount to a legislative interference with judicial process.”
However, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga dismissed the objection, insisting that Parliament has the constitutional authority to continue its work. He referenced prior Supreme Court rulings which held that courts cannot restrain Parliament from performing duties within its mandate until proceedings are concluded. He accused the Majority Leader of acting in bad faith and attempting to use parliamentary numbers to intimidate the Minority. He asserts that Order 123 pertains to debates on the floor of Parliament, not to remarks made in committee sittings, and therefore does not apply to his statement.
“The Constitution is clear, when Parliament is engaged in its primary responsibility, the Supreme Court will not interfere until we have completed the process,” Ayariga said. “The nomination has been properly referred to the Appointments Committee, and the vetting must proceed.”
The disagreement stalled the sitting for nearly an hour before the minority caucus staged a walkout in protest, accusing the majority of undermining the rule of law. Despite the disruption, the Appointments Committee continued with Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vetting who pledged to speak the truth and nothing but the truth in his testimony and began answering questions.
The episode underscores deepening divisions in Ghana’s Parliament and renewed debate over the limits of parliamentary privilege when constitutional matters are before the courts.
Read Also
