The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has filed a motion calling for the suspension of all proceedings on the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice.
The motion issued to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday by the Caucus, demanded that all pending legal cases concerning the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo be resolved.
The motion filed by five applicants of the Minority Caucus to the Clerk to Parliament cited Articles 110(1), 125–127, 144(1), and 146 of the 1992 Constitution and relevant Standing Orders, and urged “Parliament to suspend the Appointments Committee’s vetting and any plenary debate or approval processes.”
Among the applicants are Mr Anyimadu Antwi, the NPP Member of Parliament for Asante Akim Central; Mr John Darko, NPP MP for Suame; Madam Gloria Owusu, NPP MP for Trobu; Madam Damata Salam Ama Appianimaa, NPP MP for Afigya Kwabre South; Alhassan Suleman Tampuli, NPP for Gushegu; and Mr Kwabena Boateng, NPP MP for Ejisu.
The motion also referenced multiple ongoing cases, including an ECOWAS Court suit (No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25) and other applications before the Supreme Court and High Court, which directly related to Justice Torkornoo’s removal.
It further requested that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, appear before Parliament to provide a comprehensive briefing on the status of all litigation related to the matter.
The briefing, according to the motion, “should cover the identity and status of the suits, any interim or conservatory orders granted, the reliefs sought, and their implications for the office of the Chief Justice.”
Additionally, the Minority sought clarification on Ghana’s obligations under regional treaties relevant to the ECOWAS Court proceedings, as well as the government’s assessment of the potential legal and constitutional consequences of proceeding with the appointment while the cases remain pendin, therefore, urging the lawmakets to suspend the vetting.
The motion comes after the advertisement of the vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie in Tuesday’s Order Paper of Parliament.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was nominated by President John Dramani Mahama following the removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo.
