NPP MPs File Motion to Block Vetting of Chief Justice Nominee Paul Baffoe‑Bonnie
JHNews || In a move that exposes deep fractures within Ghana’s parliamentary and judicial appointment process, NPP MPs are trying to block the vetting of a Chief Justice nominee while court cases linger. Democracy demands clarity not half-measures and legal limbo.
HENRY GERCHI 
Accra, October 29 2025 — A group of six Members of Parliament from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has filed a motion calling for the suspension of the vetting and approval process of Chief Justice nominee Paul Baffoe-Bonnie. They argue that multiple legal suits challenging the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo must be resolved first.
The motion, addressed to the Clerk of Parliament, cites Articles 110(1), 125–127, 144(1), and 146 of the 1992 Constitution, as well as Standing Orders 57(1)–(3), 93, 103(f), 216, and 217. It was signed by MPs Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi (Asante Akim Central), John Darko (Suame), Gloria Owusu (Trobu), Damata Salam Ama Appianimaa (Afigya Kwabre South), Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli (Gushegu), and Kwabena Boateng (Ejisu).
The MPs requested that the Business Committee reprogramme parliamentary business accordingly and direct the Appointments Committee to suspend any vetting sessions related to Baffoe-Bonnie until the legal matters are settled. They also asked the Attorney-General and the Minister for Justice to brief Parliament on the status of the pending cases, including international obligations under the ECOWAS Court.
Background
On October 21 2025, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin referred Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination to the Appointments Committee following his submission by President John Dramani Mahama under Article 144(1) of the Constitution.
