Minority to boycott CJ nominee vetting on Saturday

The Minority in Parliament says it won’t take part in the scheduled vetting of the Chief Justice nominee on December 21, 2019.

A statement from the NDC leader in the House, Haruna Iddrisu accused the Chairman of the Appointment’s Committee, First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu of unilaterally setting the date, against standard practice.

Mr. Iddrisu said their side of the aisle has nothing against the nominee, Justice of the Supreme Court, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah but they would hold dear the “principle of a strong, independent and diligent Parliament devoid of rubber stamp tendencies.”

Explaining their position, the Tamale North MP said the date set for the vetting is too short and does not give the public enough time to submit memoranda on the nominee.

The statement added that Minority MPs at a meeting of the Committee suggested January 8 and 9, 2020 for vetting the nominee. “Deliberations at the said meeting was inconclusive,” Mr. Iddrisu wrote.

The statement said the Minority were therefore bewildered by the announcement that a date has been set, even after the Speaker of the House said he was not opposed to extending sitting even on Christmas day.

They say they would therefore not take part in the vetting process but are open to consultations on the issue.

They have meanwhile, proposed “any day from 23rd, 27th or 30th December, 2019.

Justice Anin-Yeboah was nominated by President Nana Akufo-Addo to replace Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo who retires on December 20.



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