The Second Deputy Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has filed a formal Right to Information (RTI) request with the Presidency seeking details on a petition aimed at removing Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie from office.
The request, submitted on Friday, November 7, 2025, under Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), focuses on a petition filed by private citizen Mr. Gbandi Nabin Yussif on October 6, 2025, and received by the Presidency on October 7, 2025.
In his letter, the Second Deputy Whip asked for specifics, including the current status or progress of the petition, confirmation of whether President John Dramani Mahama has referred the matter to the Council of State as required by constitutional procedures, and details of any actions taken or decisions made by the Council of State regarding the petition.
In light of President Mahama’s nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as substantive Chief Justice on September 21, 2025, and his impending vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee, the MP, also requested a copy of any investigative report or decision related to the petition.
“This request is made in accordance with Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which upholds our right to information,” the letter states.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie assumed the position of Acting Chief Justice in April 2025 following the suspension and subsequent removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, who was stripped of her position as a member of in the Supreme Court and leader of the judiciary based on petitions alleging misconduct.
Torkornoo has since filed various legal applications aimed at fighting her removal and replacement.
During proceedings on Friday, November 7, 2025, the Minority had a motion seeking to halt the scheduled vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie dismissed by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
According to the Minority, the motion was necessary due to the ongoing legal challenge mounted by Justice Torkornoo against her removal.
However, Speaker Bagbin ruled against the motion, which was argued by the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin.