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0 Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin says his side is keeping an open mind on whether they would take part in the vetting of Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, following the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the Minority was observing developments closely, especially in light of what he described as serious irregularities in the proceedings of the Justice Pwamang Committee, which recommended Justice Torkornoo’s removal.
“To deal with the issue of the CJ’s removal, whether or not we are going to participate in any process — for us, all cards are on the table,” he stated.
He accused the committee of undermining due process, saying its conduct amounted to a “travesty of justice.”
“What that committee has done, the purported recommendation, should prick their own conscience, all the committee members,” he added.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin questioned how the committee, which included senior members of the judiciary, could conclude its work in such haste after previously scheduling further hearings.
“A referral was made to you as a committee and at least four of the members are judges: a retired Supreme Court judge and two sitting justices. You had three petitions before you and had completed hearing only one. You told the respondent, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, and her lawyers to return on the 15th for the next petition. Then suddenly, the petitioners’ lawyers request a long adjournment, and out of the blue, a report recommending her removal is produced,” he recounted.
According to the Majority Leader, the speed with which the report was finalised and acted upon casts doubt on the integrity of the process.
“Within two hours, the report was fully stated and acted upon. The Pwamang Committee must be ashamed of itself. That committee has reduced our democracy to something that defies description,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has referred the nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice to the Appointments Committee for vetting and recommendation.
This follows the submission of his name to the House by President John Mahama for consideration and approval in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The Speaker of Parliament who made the referral on the floor of the House, directed the Appointments Committee to expedite its work and report back to the plenary for a final decision.
