Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has thrown out a motion by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to suspend the vetting of acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie pending the resolution of court cases involving former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Afenyo-Markin had contended that proceeding with the vetting while disputes over Torkornoo’s removal and the legitimacy of the judicial vacancy remain in court would constitute interference in judicial processes, citing constitutional provisions and parliamentary standing orders.
Ruling on the matter on Friday, November 7, 2025, Bagbin held that Parliament’s constitutional duties cannot be stalled by ongoing litigation.
“There is no constitutional or standing order basis for Parliament to hold the process simply because there are pending cases in court,” he stated. “Should I accept that argument, it will mean that any litigant could hold Parliament hostage, file a case and freeze the work of Parliament and its committees.”
He declared the motion inadmissible and returned it to Afenyo-Markin in line with parliamentary rules.
