Minority in Parliament files motion to suspend vetting of Chief Justice nominee Baffoe-Bonnie

The Minority in Parliament is demanding the suspension of the vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as a Chief Justice nominee by the Appointment Committee of Parliament until the legal challenge regarding the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, currently pending in court, is resolved.

In a motion filed at the Speaker’s office, the Minority lawmakers are urging the Speaker to halt all proceedings by the Appointment Committee, citing ongoing cases before both the High Court and the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

The Appointment Committee has scheduled the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee for November 10, 2025.

The applicants of the motion are the Asante Akim Central MP, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, Suame MP, John Darko, Trobu MP Gloria Owusu, Afigya Kwabre South MP, Damata Salam Ama Appianimaa, Gushegu MP, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli and Ejisu MP, Kwabena Boateng.

“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 Appointment 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on provisional measures, multiple Supreme Court proceedings, and High Court applications) are finally determined or withdrawn,” portions of the motion read.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 an 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 the six Minority MPs is also demanding that the Attorney-General should disclose;

• 1. the identity, jurisdictions, and procedural status of all legal proceedings; 
  2. any provisional measures, interim orders, or conservatory orders sought or granted;
  3. the reliefs sought in each proceeding and their potential implications for the office of Chief Justice;
  4. Ghana’s international obligations under regional treaties relevant to the ECOWAS Court proceedings;
  5. 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
  6. any other matters relevant to Parliament’s informed exercise of its constitutional functions under Article 144(1).