The Minority in Parliament says it is yet to decide whether to participate in the vetting of Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, following the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said his side is “keeping all options open” as it observes developments related to what he described as serious procedural breaches in the work 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,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said.
He accused the committee of undermining due process and delivering what he called a “travesty of justice.”
“What that committee has done, the purported recommendation, should prick their own conscience, all the committee members,” he stated.
According to him, it was troubling that the committee, which included a retired Supreme Court judge and two sitting justices, concluded its report in haste after adjourning hearings and assuring Justice Torkornoo’s legal team of further sittings.
“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.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin insisted that such conduct “casts doubt on the integrity of the process” and erodes public confidence in judicial accountability.
The Effutu MP’s remarks come after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, referred President John Mahama’s nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice to the Appointments Committee for vetting and recommendation, in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
He has also directed the committee to expedite its work and present its report to the House for a final decision.
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