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Despite the Minority’s boycott and rejection of the process, the Appointments Committee of Parliament continued to vet Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Chief Justice nominee, on Monday.
When Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga immediately objected after Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin referred to the nominee as a “disputed nominee” in his opening comments, tensions flared.
Ayariga contended, “I am objecting to the use of the term ‘disputed nominee’ because there is no dispute before this House,” arguing that MPs are prohibited from challenging matters that the House has already decided upon by Parliament’s Standing Orders.
Afenyo-Markin dismissed the criticism, claiming that the Majority Leader was trying to stifle the Minority and prevent them from voicing their opinions. “We are political actors. We also have a right to speak. We cannot be prevented from expressing our view,” he stated.
Gertrude Torkornoo, the former Chief Justice, was removed as a result of a standoff over the report from a different committee. The Minority has questioned the legitimacy and transparency of the procedure, calling her removal a “travesty of justice” on several occasions.
Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, intervened during the proceedings, ordering that any references to the Torkornoo report or Justice Gabriel Pwamang, who chaired the investigative panel, be expunged from the official record, noting that committee members would not have an opportunity to respond.
Despite the boycott and the deadlock, the committee proceeded with the vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
