The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has dismissed a motion filed by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, seeking to halt the vetting of acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
The Minority Leader had urged the House to put the process on hold until the courts determine cases related to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and the legality of the subsequent vacancy.
Afenyo-Markin argued that allowing the vetting to proceed while the matter was before the courts could constitute judicial interference.
He referenced relevant constitutional provisions and standing orders of Parliament to support his position.
But delivering his ruling on Friday, November 7, 2025, Speaker Bagbin firmly rejected the motion, insisting that Parliament cannot suspend its constitutional duties because of pending court actions.
“There is no constitutional or standing order basis for Parliament to halt its processes simply because there are cases pending in court,” he ruled.
He cautioned that accepting such a position would have dire consequences for the legislature, as it would allow any individual to paralyze Parliament’s work by merely filing a suit.
“Should I accept that argument, it would mean that any litigant could hold Parliament hostage — just by filing a case to freeze the work of Parliament and its committees,” he added.
Consequently, Speaker Bagbin declared the motion inadmissible and instructed that it be returned to its sponsor.
“The motion is inadmissible and has accordingly been returned to the Minority Leader, Honourable Alexander Afenyo-Markin, in line with our standing orders,” Bagbin noted.
The Appointments Committee of Parliament is set to vet Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for the position of Chief Justice on Monday, November 10, 2025.