The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised strong objections to the vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for the position of Chief Justice, describing the move as a threat to Ghana’s constitutional order and judicial independence.
In a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said, “The NPP will witness this travesty, strongly condemn it, and publicly denounce its outcome. The Constitution is the sacred covenant of the Ghanaian people, and we shall never relent in our duty to defend it.”
The NPP said the nomination by the Mahama administration constitutes a “grave breach of constitutional order,” given that the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is still the subject of multiple court cases.
According to the statement, there are seven substantive legal suits currently pending before the Supreme Court, the High Court, and the ECOWAS Court of Justice, challenging the legality and procedure surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s removal.
“It is a cardinal principle of constitutional governance that where the legitimacy of a foundational state action is directly challenged before a competent court, the political branches must exercise restraint until the judiciary has discharged its constitutional mandate,” the statement said.
The NPP further accused the government of showing disregard for judicial due process, warning that proceeding with a new appointment constitutes “a pre-emptive assault on the judicial function.”
The party also raised concerns about what it described as a conflict of interest on the part of the nominee, claiming that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had previously presided over a case, Assafuah v. Attorney-General, which directly related to the status of the Chief Justice’s office.
“This situation engages the timeless principle of nemo judex in causa sua—that no person shall be a judge in their own cause,” the NPP stated, adding that his involvement and subsequent acceptance of the nomination undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
While acknowledging Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s long service on the bench, the NPP described his acceptance of the nomination as “a gross and detrimental failure of judicial leadership.”
The party also cautioned the Mahama administration against using political power to undermine constitutional principles, saying, “Political majorities are transient, but constitutional principles are eternal.”
The NPP concluded by reaffirming its commitment to defend Ghana’s constitutional democracy and urged all citizens to stand up in defense of the rule of law.
“The Constitution is the sacred covenant of the Ghanaian people, and we shall never relent in our duty to defend it,” the statement said.
