By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minority in Parliament has filed a motion demanding the immediate suspension of all parliamentary proceedings on the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice until ongoing court cases concerning the removal of the dismissed Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, are concluded.
The motion, addressed to the Clerk to Parliament, invokes Articles 110(1), 125 to 127, 144(1), and 146 of the 1992 Constitution, as well as Standing Orders 57(1)-(3), 93, 107(f), 216, and 217 of Parliament.
According to the Minority, it would be unconstitutional and premature for Parliament to continue with the vetting or approval process for Justice Baffoe-Bonnie while multiple legal proceedings remain unresolved.
They cited, among others, a pending case before the ECOWAS Court (Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25) and other applications before the Supreme Court and High Court challenging Justice Torkornoo’s removal.
The Minority further called for the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to be summoned before the House to brief Members on the current status of all such court cases. They requested that the briefing include details about the jurisdictions involved, the reliefs sought, any interim or provisional orders granted, and Ghana’s obligations under regional treaties.
They also urged the Business Committee to reprogramme the House’s activities accordingly and for the Appointments Committee to stand down any planned vetting sessions related to the nomination until the legal disputes are fully determined or withdrawn.
The motion was signed by six Minority MPs:
Hon. Anyimadu Antwi (Asante Akim Central)
Hon. John Darko (Suame)
Hon. Gloria Owusu (Trobu)
Hon. Damata Salam Ama Appianimaa (Afigya Kwabre South)
Hon. Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli (Gushegu)
Hon. Kwabena Boateng (Ejisu)
