The vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, on Monday November 10, 2025 turned chaotic as sharp partisan disagreements erupted within Parliament’s Appointments Committee, culminating in a dramatic walkout by the Minority members.
Led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority staged their exit in protest, declaring the entire nomination process illegitimate due to ongoing legal disputes surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
“We are registering that we reject the nomination, and the record should reflect that the report of the vetting be a Majority report,” Afenyo-Markin announced before leading his side out of the chamber.
The Minority argued that several active cases before the Supreme Court, High Court and the ECOWAS Court challenge the legality of Justice Torkornoo’s removal and therefore, proceeding with a new nomination would be premature and constitutionally improper.
According to them, continuing the vetting not only undermines judicial independence but also risks pre-empting the outcome of these pending suits.
Tensions flared early in the session following a dispute between Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The confrontation began when Ayariga objected to his counterpart’s attempt to make opening remarks, arguing that Parliament had already debated issues concerning the nomination and that the vetting should proceed without further commentary.
Matters escalated when Afenyo-Markin referred to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed Chief Justice nominee.”
The Majority Leader strongly objected to the description, describing it as inappropriate and demanding an immediate retraction and apology.
“This committee is not a courtroom,” Ayariga retorted, insisting that the vetting must remain focused and decorous.
In response, Afenyo-Markin accused the Majority of attempting to silence dissent and sidestep legitimate constitutional concerns.
He further questioned the transparency surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s removal, calling it “opaque” a remark that drew fresh objections from the Majority side.
The walkout has deepened partisan divisions over the nomination process, with each side accusing the other of acting in bad faith. While the Majority proceeded with the vetting despite the protest, the Minority has maintained that the exercise is unconstitutional and politically compromised.
The standoff sets the stage for heightened tensions in the coming days, particularly when the Appointments Committee presents its report to the full House for approval.
