The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed strong concerns over the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s Chief Justice.
The party says proceeding with the appointment while seven legal cases challenging the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo are still pending undermines constitutional order.
In a statement, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong said the nomination raises serious questions of conflict of interest, noting that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie previously presided over key proceedings linked to the vacancy he now seeks to fill.
“The appearance of a conflict of interest is palpable and undermines public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary and his stewardship. His subsequent acceptance of a nomination to the substantive office, while the legality of the very vacancy he would fill is contested in multiple courts, demonstrates a troubling disregard for the sub judice rule and the principle that courts, not political actors, must resolve justiciable disputes,” he said.
The party warned the Mahama administration against using political majorities to bypass constitutional principles, urging Ghanaians to defend the rule of law. “Political majorities are transient, but constitutional principles are eternal,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is already before Parliament’s Appointments Committee to discuss his qualifications, judicial approach, and vision for the judiciary but faces delay as both Minority and Majority continue to drag over the matter.
