Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
The Minority in Parliament is demanding the suspension of the Appointment Committee’s vetting of Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice until all outstanding legal challenges concerning the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo are resolved in court.
In a motion filed at the Speaker’s office, the NPP lawmakers are asking the Speaker to halt all processes by the Appointments Committee, citing current cases at the High Court and the ECOWAS court.
“That this Honourable House, having regard to Articles 110(1), 125-127, 144(1) and 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Orders 57(1)-(3), 93, 103(f), 216 and 217, resolves to suspend forthwith all further proceedings, both at the Appointments Committee and at Plenary, on the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice until all pending suits and applications directly bearing on the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo (including ECOWAS Court Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25 on provisional measures, multiple Supreme Court proceedings, and High Court applications) are finally determined or withdrawn,” portions of the motion read.
The Minority MPs also want the Attorney-General to be summoned before the House to provide update on the status of all litigation issues relating to the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice.
“…and that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice be summoned, pursuant to Article 103 of the Constitution, to appear before this House (or before such committee as the House may designate) to provide a comprehensive briefing on the status of all pending litigation relating to the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo,” the motion noted.
The motion filed by six Minority MPs are also demanding the Attorney-General to disclose;
a. the identity, jurisdictions, and procedural status of all legal proceedings;
b. any provisional measures, interim orders, or conservatory orders sought or granted;
c. the reliefs sought in each proceeding and their potential implications for the office of Chief Justice;
d. Ghana’s international obligations under regional treaties relevant to the ECOWAS Court proceedings;
e. the Government’s assessment of potential legal and constitutional implications of proceeding with the appointment of a successor Chief Justice whilst such litigation remains pending; and
f. any other matters relevant to Parliament’s informed exercise of its constitutional functions under Article 144(1).
The applicants of the motion are; Asante Akim Central MP Anyimadu Antwi, Suame MP John Darko, Trobu MP Gloria Owusu, MP for Afigya Kwabre South, Damata Salam Ama Appianimaa, Gushegu MP Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli and MP for Ejisu, Kwabena Boateng.
The Appointments Committee has scheduled to vet the Chief Justice nominee on November 10, 2025.
Source:Lovinghananews.com
