In a dramatic turn of events, the scheduled vetting of Chief Justice nominee Paul Baffoe‑Bonnie on Monday has been thrown into doubt, as Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo‑Markin brought fresh legal concerns to the fore and urged a pause until constitutional issues are resolved. The process, which has already stirred major contention in parliamentary circles, is now in limbo.
Afenyo‑Markin pointed to unresolved court cases lodged by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, including matters before the Supreme Court and the ECOWAS Court, that challenge the legality of her removal the very events underpinning Baffoe‑Bonnie’s nomination. He argued that Parliament must not proceed with Baffoe‑Bonnie’s vetting while those matters remain active, warning that doing so would undermine the independence of the judiciary and erode public confidence.
Supporters of the vetting, however, maintain that continuing is both lawful and pragmatic. Advocates argue that Baffoe‑Bonnie, an experienced Supreme Court judge who has served as Acting Chief Justice since earlier this year, is ready to assume the role. [5] They contend that delaying further would leave the judiciary in an uncertain leadership void.
As the standoff intensifies, all eyes are on Parliament, where the vetting committee must decide whether to proceed amid the competing pulls of constitutional duty and political risk. The outcome will not only decide Baffoe‑Bonnie’s fate but may set precedent for how Ghana navigates highly charged judicial transitions. With the legal clouds hovering, the Monday adjudication looks far from certain and the nation awaits what comes next.
News source: Eib network, Gh one tv