Tensions ran high in Parliament on Monday when the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, turned into a heated partisan standoff, ending with the Minority side staging a full walkout.
Led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the group argued that the entire process was unlawful, citing ongoing legal actions challenging the removal of former Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Before exiting the chamber, Mr. Afenyo-Markin announced, “We reject this nomination, and we want it captured in the records that the report of this vetting should reflect only the Majority’s position.”
According to the Minority, active cases before the Supreme Court, High Court, and ECOWAS Court make the vetting premature and constitutionally inappropriate. They insist that moving forward with the process risks undermining judicial independence and could compromise the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings.
Heated Exchanges at the Committee
The session became tense even before the walkout, following a clash between the two parliamentary leaders. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga objected to Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s attempt to make preliminary remarks, insisting that Parliament had already debated the issue and that the vetting should proceed without revisiting earlier arguments.
The situation worsened when the Minority Leader referred to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed Chief Justice nominee,” a description Mr. Ayariga found offensive and inappropriate. The Majority Leader demanded an immediate retraction, arguing that “the committee is not a courtroom for political statements.”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin, however, stood his ground, accusing the Majority Leader of attempting to silence opposing views. He maintained that the process surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s removal lacked transparency, calling it “opaque and troubling.”
Political Divide Widens
The exchange deepened the already growing partisan divide over the Chief Justice appointment. While the Majority proceeded with the vetting, the Minority insists the process is unconstitutional and politically driven.
The walkout has set the stage for another confrontation when the Appointments Committee presents its report to the full House — a development likely to test Parliament’s unity and constitutional balance once again.
