Minority stages walk out at vetting of Supreme Court nominee Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

Minority members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee has staged a walkout of the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, on Monday, November 10, 2025, following a heated debate.

The tense exchange between Majority and Minority members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee brought the vetting to a standstill.

The session, which began at 11:00 a.m., was delayed for over an hour due to comments made by Minority Member Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

In his opening remarks, Afenyo-Markin referred to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed CJ nominee,” a description that Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga deemed inappropriate and demanded be withdrawn.

Mahama Ayariga drew the Committee Chair's attention that the comments of Afenyo Markin breached the Standing Orders of Parliament

Afenyo-Markin, who is Ranking Member of the Committee, refused to retract his statement, insisting on proceeding with his opening remarks, further indicating that the process for the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkorno was unconstitutional and a travesty of justice.

The disagreement escalated into a heated debate in full glare of several invited dignitaries seated in Parliament, awaiting the commencement of the vetting process.

The Chairman of the Committee postponed the sitting for an hour, only to return with another episode of exchanges.

The Minority member, Afenyo Markin, who was finally allowed to deliver his early remarks, announced the decision of Minority to bow out of the vetting.

He added that the Minority also rejects the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice, even before the vetting begins.