NPP MPs to Boycott Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie's Visit to Parliament: “Is He on a Thank You Tour?”
- The Minority in Parliament criticised Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie for perceived intolerance towards its members
- Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin questioned the Chief Justice's motives behind visits to ministries
- The caucus refused to engage in the Chief Justice's scheduled Parliamentary meeting, amidst its concerns
The Minority in Parliament has criticised the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, describing him as an intolerant head of the judiciary.
The caucus made the statement following what it described as attacks on its members after raising concerns about the processes surrounding Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment by the president.
Source: Facebook
Addressing journalists on January 26, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced that the group would not participate in the Chief Justice’s scheduled engagement with the Speaker of Parliament.
“We have noted that the Chief Justice and his management are visiting various ministries, including the Jubilee House. Is he on a Thank You Tour? Is my Lord Baffoe-Bonnie on a tour appreciating the government for his appointment as Chief Justice?”
“As he heads to Parliament today, we, as the Minority, do not see him as a tolerant head of the judiciary. Members of the Minority came under attack when we criticised the processes leading to his nomination."
“We will therefore not be part of his Thank You Tour. If he wants to engage with us, he should come to our offices, and we will outline the issues we have with him.”
The minority was critical of the process to approve Baffoe-Bonnie. It felt the nomination and vetting were illegitimate due to unresolved legal challenges related to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The minority members on the Appointment Committee of Parliament eventually boycotted the vetting after some heated exchanges with the Majority on November 10, 2025.
The minority had previously called for the vetting to be put on hold because of Torkornoo's legal fight.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, however, dismissed a motion Afenyo-Markin filed seeking to suspend the vetting until ongoing court cases involving Torkornoo are resolved.
Bagbin explained that Parliament’s legislative and oversight duties could not be halted over a court case.
Why was Torkornoo removed as Chief Justice?
Torkornoo was removed following a recommendation by the committee probing complaints against her.
The former Chief Justice at the time had been on suspension since April 2025 after complaints were lodged against her in five petitions.
The investigative committee found that grounds of stated misbehaviour had been established following its probe.
According to the Presidency, the committee reviewed 10,000 pages of evidence submitted and heard from 13 witnesses on behalf of the first petitioner.
The chief justice also testified and called 12 other witnesses, including experts.
Source: Facebook
Torkornoo sues for compensation from the government
YEN.com.gh also reported that Torkornoo had sued the government for $10 million in compensation as she fought against her impeachment.
She claimed that her initial suspension from office violated her rights to a fair hearing under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
