The vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, nominee for Chief Justice, on Monday, November 10, descended into a heated confrontation between Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during a sitting of Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
What began as routine remarks from the Minority Leader soon escalated into a sharp exchange over procedure, judicial independence, and the extent of Parliament’s oversight powers.
As tempers flared, Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor stepped in to call for a brief “cocoa break” to cool tensions before the vetting resumed.
The dramatic session took place against the backdrop of lingering controversy over the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkornoo, which has divided opinion within Parliament and the broader legal community.
