The Minority Caucus has staged a walkout during the vetting process of Chief Justice nominee Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.

This unfolded after the Minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin led his colleagues in raising issues against the nomination and also the processes that led to the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice.

“We vote to reject the nominee, 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,” their leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said during the vetting process.

In response, the Chair of the Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, said, “We thank you very much, we wish you well.”

Tension flared between Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin during the vetting session for the Chief Justice nominee.

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, insisted that his caucus reserves the right to refer to Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the contested Chief Justice nominee.

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised strong objections to Parliament’s decision to continue with the vetting of Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, calling it a violation of constitutional principles, the rule of law, and a situation that presents a conflict of interest.

In a statement issued on November 10 and signed by General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua, the party maintained that the vetting should have been put on hold until cases filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo were fully addressed.

According to the NPP, seven substantive legal actions related to the matter are currently pending before Ghana’s Supreme Court, the High Court, and the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

Baffoe-Bonnie was nominated by President John Dramani Mahama in accordance with constitutional provisions following the removal of the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.

The vetting will assess his qualifications, judicial experience and overall suitability for the role before the committee submits its report to the plenary for consideration.

This comes despite Minority Members of Parliament filing a motion seeking to halt the vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.

In a statement dated October 29, 2025, the Minority indicated that the vetting process should be suspended until all pending suits and applications concerning former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo have been heard and determined.

The Minority, citing Articles 110(1), 125–127, 144(1) and 146 of the 1992 Constitution and relevant Standing Orders, urged Parliament to suspend the Appointments Committee’s vetting and any plenary debate or approval processes.

The motion cited cases including the ECOWAS Court suit, Supreme Court and High Court applications.

"That this Honourable House, having regard to Articles 110(1), 125-127, 144(1) and 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Orders 57(1)-(3), 93, 103(f), 216 and 217, resolves to suspend forthwith all further proceedings, both at the Appointments Committee and at Plenary, on the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice until all pending suits and applications directly bearing on the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo (including ECOWAS Court Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25 on provisional measures, multiple Supreme Court proceedings, and High Court applications) are finally determined or withdrawn," the statement said.

The Minority, led by John Darko, the Member of Parliament for Suame, are also demanding that the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, be summoned before Parliament.

They are requesting that he provides full details of all pending cases involving former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

"The Attorney General and Minister of Justice be summoned, pursuant to Article 103 of the Constitution, to appear before this House (or before such committee as the House may designate) 10 provide a comprehensive briefing on the status of all pending litigation relating to the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo," the statement added.

See their demands below:

a . The identity, jurisdictions, and procedural status of all such proceedings;

b . Any provisional measures, interim orders, or conservatory orders sought or granted

c . The reliefs sought in each proceeding and their potential implications for the office of Chief Justice;

d. Ghana's international obligations under regional treaties relevant to the ECOWAS Court proceedings;

e. The Government's assessment of potential legal and constitutional implications of proceeding with the appointment of a successor Chief Justice whilst such litigation remains pending;

f. any other matters relevant to Parliament's informed exercise of its constitutional functions under Article 144(1).