Minority boycotts CJ vetting, rejects nominee

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has rejected the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice and boycotted his vetting proceedings, throwing the confirmation process into controversy.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced the collective rejection and led his caucus in a walkout, stating, “We, the Minority Caucus, hereby vote en bloc to reject the nominee.”

He declared that the Majority could proceed alone and that the committee’s report should be recorded as a majority report.

The boycott stems from concerns over the selection process and pending legal challenges filed by the former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, concerning her removal.

With the Minority absent, the vetting proceeded without their cross-examination, raising questions about the legitimacy of the confirmation.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, the Acting Chief Justice and a senior Supreme Court Justice, was nominated by President John Mahama.

His confirmation requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament, meaning the government must rely on its numbers to secure approval despite the opposition’s rejection.