Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Chief Justice Nominee, has asserted that his vetting process, held today, Monday, November 10, 2025, has not contravened any laws.
In response to a question posed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga regarding concerns raised by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, he provided clarification.
Prior to boycotting the process, the Effutu Member of Parliament claimed that the removal of former Chief Justice Esaaba Torkornoo was unconstitutional.
He also cautioned the Committee to be mindful of existing court cases filed by the dismissed Chief Justice.
The Minority had filed a motion last week, requesting Speaker Alban Bagbin to suspend the vetting, citing a potential breach of law due to the ongoing court processes initiated by the former Chief Justice.
However, the Speaker dismissed their motion and instructed the Committee to proceed with the vetting as scheduled.
When asked if it was appropriate for the vetting to proceed, the nominee responded affirmatively.
He argued that no competent court of jurisdiction had issued any directives or orders to halt the process.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie emphasised that he could not ignore the summons by Parliament to attend the committee.
He stated that the vetting is a constitutional duty that Parliament is performing, and since no court had issued any orders to stop it, the process must continue.
Comparing the presidential election petitions filed by then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2013 and President John Dramani Mahama in 2020, it is notable that the declaration and swearing-in of the respective winners did not impede their ability to perform their functions as President.
The nominee observed that a change in the outcome—specifically, if the Supreme Court had ordered Akufo-Addo to take office following the 2013 judgment or Mahama following the 2020 judgment—would have been based solely on the directive of the Supreme Court itself.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
