(L-R) A photo collage of Acting Chief Justice Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and Alexander Afenyo-Markin
The Minority Leader and Ranking Member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has subtly jabbed justices of the Supreme Court in his opening statement for the vetting of the seven nominees to the apex court.
Delivering his opening remarks at the vetting on Monday, June 16, 2025, the Minority Leader, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, took a swipe at the court over the ongoing processes aimed at the removal of suspended Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
He accused the justices of the court of sitting aloof while the executive arm of government reshapes “the constitutional order” through questionable processes to remove the Chief Justice.
“We convene whilst our Chief Justice sits suspended through procedurally questionable process under Articles 146 and 296. An executive that suspends one Chief Justice while installing seven new justices is not filling vacancies. It is reshaping the constitutional order.
“The appearance of institutional capture is inevitable and constitutionally catastrophic. The Supreme Court has abdicated its constitutional duty, repeatedly refusing to intervene when fundamental principles of natural justice have suffered violation. This institutional cowardice is constitutionally inexcusable,”he said.
He warned that the newly nominated justices “will inherit a court that retreats into comfortable silence when courage is demanded.”
Reacting to Afenyo-Markin’s remarks, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, refuted the assertion that the ongoing processes for the removal of Justice Torkornoo is unlawful.
He argued that the 1992 Constitution has been followed to the letter so far in the ongoing processes.
BAI/VPO
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