Minority MPs who are part of the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday walked out of the vetting process of the Chief Justice nominee, Justice Baffoe Bonnie.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced the decision to boycott the process following hours of confrontation with Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga. Mr. Afenyo-Markin had earlier referred to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed Chief Justice nominee,” a comment that immediately drew objection from the Majority Leader.
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The disagreement also stemmed from what the Minority considered as unresolved legal issues relating to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
“Be it known to you, chairman, and the committee and the country that we, the Minority Caucus, hereby vote en bloc to reject the nominee. We would want to state on record that the Majority can proceed with the questions.
“We do not intend to proceed with any question. We are, however, registering in the strongest terms that we reject the nomination, and the records should reflect that the report of this committee be a majority report,” Alexander Afenyo-Markin said.
The vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, however, continues as MPs from the Majority side take turns to ask questions from the nominee.