The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has dismissed a motion filed by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, seeking to suspend the vetting of acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, until ongoing court cases involving former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo are resolved.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin had earlier argued that Parliament should not proceed with the vetting while disputes concerning the former Chief Justice’s dismissal and the legality of the vacancy remained before the courts.
He cited several parliamentary orders and constitutional provisions, insisting that proceeding with the vetting could amount to interference in judicial matters.
However, the Speaker maintained that Parliament’s legislative and oversight duties cannot be suspended at the instance of court actions, warning that accepting such an argument would set a dangerous precedent.
Delivering his ruling on Friday, the Speaker said there was no constitutional or procedural basis for Parliament to suspend its work due to a pending court case.
“There is no constitutional or standing order basis for Parliament to hold the process simply because there are pending cases in court,” Mr. Bagbin stated.
“Should I accept that argument, it will mean that any litigant could hold Parliament hostage — that is, file a case and freeze the work of Parliament and its committees.”
The Speaker therefore declared the motion inadmissible and directed that it be returned to its sponsor, the Minority Leader.
“The motion is inadmissible, and same has been returned to the sponsor, the Minority Leader, Honourable Alexander Afenyo-Markin, as stated clearly by our standing orders,” he said.
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