News
Minority walks out of Chief Justice vetting over ‘Irregular Process’
Member of Parliament for Asante Akim Central, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, has explained that the Minority’s decision to walk out of the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, was based on principle and concerns about due process.
Addressing the media after the Minority staged a walkout during the vetting, Mr. Anyimadu-Antwi said the caucus believed the process leading to the nomination and vetting of the new Chief Justice was not proper, given that the current Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, had not yet formally left office.
“On a matter of principle, we needed to lay the foundation because there was an existing Chief Justice. But for the irregularities, we would not be here to vet another Chief Justice,” he stated.
He explained that the Minority had earlier filed a motion on the floor of Parliament, seeking to delay the vetting until all pending legal and constitutional matters were resolved.
However, the Speaker of Parliament did not admit their motion, a decision the Minority described as unfair.
According to the MP, the Minority believes several legal issues surrounding the nomination are still before the courts and ECOWAS, and those cases should be concluded before a new Chief Justice is vetted.
Mr. Anyimadu-Antwi stressed that the walkout was not a personal attack on Justice Baffoe-Bonnie but rather a stance to protect democratic and constitutional principles.
“Nobody has anything against Justice Baffoe-Bonnie personally, but on a matter of principle, we needed to abstain from this. Since we were going to vote against the process anyway, we decided not to participate,” he said.
He expressed concern that the Majority side appeared unwilling to allow a fair and open discussion during the proceedings.
“It seemed they had made up their minds to object to everything we said. We cannot hold everyone to ransom, so we thought it was best to give peace a chance and leave the room,” he added.
Mr. Anyimadu-Antwi clarified that the Minority’s exit was not a complete boycott but a principled protest against what they viewed as an improper process.
The vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie went ahead despite the Minority’s absence.
If approved, he will succeed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who is expected to retire soon.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Criminal Investigation Department has launched an investigation into a viral video in which a woman identified as Arianna Naomi Mackey, an American citizen, claims she was kidnapped by five masked men, whom she alleges were officers of the Ghana Police Service on snap-check duty in Accra, and robbed her of some amount of money.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the video was recorded at a hotel in Accra where Ms. Mackey and two companions were staying.
According to the police, investigation also confirmed that they checked out of the hotel on December 5, 2025.Checks at the Kotoka International Airport also disclosed that she left Ghana on the same day.
The Police subsequently contacted the alleged victim to assist the investigation. She indicated to Police that she was out of the country and she could not get the names of the alleged officers nor the number plate of the vehicle they were using.
Police further requested for the contact details of her friend in Ghana, who she said was with her during the time of the incident.
She, however, stated that her friend does not want to be involved in the investigation.
According to the police, she has since deleted the video on her page and further efforts by the Investigators to contact her through WhatsApp calls and messages have proved unsuccessful, as she has declined to respond and later blocked the team.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to secure her cooperation through appropriate diplomatic channels.
The Ghana Police Service has noted that it treats such allegations very seriously and remains committed to uncovering the facts in this case.
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested three men believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for abducting a 42-year-old man in Wapuli, a community in the Yendi District.
The suspects, Haruna Seidu, Amidu Bandi and Osman Bandi allegedly kidnapped the victim and demanded GH¢100,000 from his family for his release.
According to a police statement, officers from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate were deployed to Wapuli after the incident was reported.
The team conducted surveillance and launched a rescue operation.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, police successfully rescued the victim and arrested the suspects after what was described as an intense exchange of gunfire.
The suspects were later taken into custody and are expected to be arraigned before court.
The Police said the a fourth suspect, who is believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the operation, is currently on the run.
They urged the public to provide any information that may lead to his arrest.
By: Jacob Aggrey
