A dramatic confrontation erupted in Parliament on Monday, November 10, as Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin clashed during the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
The chaos began when Mr. Afenyo-Markin, in his preliminary remarks before the Appointments Committee, referred to the acting Chief Justice as a “disputed nominee.” The comment immediately provoked outrage from the Majority side, prompting Mr. Ayariga to object on procedural grounds.
Citing Standing Orders 122 and 123, the Majority Leader argued that the Minority Leader had no authority to raise matters already ruled upon by the Speaker or to make comments touching on the conduct of the Chief Justice or members of the Judiciary.
“He has no lawful authority to raise anything about what happened in court and on the floor of Parliament,” Mr. Ayariga asserted.
He further demanded that Mr. Afenyo-Markin retract the “disputed nominee” description, insisting that the vetting session was “not a courtroom.”
But the Minority Leader refused to back down, accusing Mr. Ayariga of acting in bad faith and using procedural rules to “intimidate” the Minority.
“You are attempting to muzzle the Minority and prevent us from expressing legitimate political concerns,” he said heatedly.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin insisted that his remarks were political in nature and therefore within his rights as a legislator. He also criticized the work of the Justice Pwamang Committee, describing it as “a travesty of justice.”
As tempers flared, Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor adjourned proceedings temporarily to rule on the objection.
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