Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday dismissed a petition lodged against Supreme Court nominee, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, branding the allegations contained therein as “frivolous, facetious, worthless, and without merit.”
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, addressing the vetting panel on Friday, June 20, clarified that the petition, submitted by one Anthony Kwabena Rau, accused the nominee of using insulting language in a High Court judgment delivered in 2019. The petitioner’s grievance stemmed from the judge’s quotation of a letter presented as evidence, which purportedly contained offensive remarks about Ghanaians.
Following a meticulous review of the cited judgment and a subsequent ruling by the Court of Appeal, the Appointments Committee concluded that the petition lacked any substantive legal or factual basis.
“The claim that the judge insulted or attacked the petitioner is completely unfounded. The Court of Appeal examined the very same issue in June 2023 and delivered its judgment, unequivocally affirming that there was no professional misconduct on the part of the nominee,” Hon. Ahiafor stated.
The vetting process for Justice Ackaah-Boafo had been briefly halted on Thursday to allow the Committee to conduct a thorough examination of the petition. However, it resumed on Friday after the Committee’s internal review determined the allegations were baseless.
Hon. Ahiafor stressed that the Appointments Committee’s mandate does not extend to substituting the functions of the Judicial Council or the Supreme Court in matters that have already been legally adjudicated.
He further disclosed that additional documents submitted by the petitioner, which alleged acts of corruption against Charles Idan, the Deputy Director of Finance at the Judicial Service, were unrelated to the Supreme Court nominee. He noted that these claims had been previously investigated by the Chief Justice, who found no evidence of wrongdoing.
“These supplementary documents have no connection whatsoever to the nominee. We find no justifiable reason to admit them or use them as evidence against His Lordship Justice Ackaah-Boafo,” Hon. Ahiafor explained.
Drawing attention to Article 127(3) of the 1992 Constitution, the Chairman reminded the public that judges enjoy constitutional protection from personal liability for actions undertaken in the legitimate exercise of their judicial duties.
Echoing the Chairman’s stance, the Minority Leader and Ranking Member of the Committee, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed strong disapproval of what he described as a growing trend of ‘pettiness and trivial attacks’ directed at the judiciary. He cautioned that such behavior poses a significant threat to the rule of law and the integrity of the nation’s democratic institutions.
“Regrettably, the ongoing trial of the Chief Justice provides an example where one Daniel Ofori is using a judgment the Chief Justice was involved in as a pretext for attacking her character and demanding her removal. Similarly, in the case of Yakubu Akogo Aya, equally unfounded allegations were leveled, claiming the Chief Justice made certain improper pronouncements against him in open court. Both of these cases have now been classified as amounting to misconduct, leading to the Chief Justice’s suspension. This is a deeply unfortunate development,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated.
He, however, commended the Appointments Committee for its resolve in “rising above pettiness and trivialities” in its work.
In response, Chairman Ahiafor cautioned against making hasty conclusions regarding ongoing matters involving the Chief Justice.
“We are addressing matters of fact and applying the relevant laws to those facts. Therefore, I respectfully urge the Minority Leader to refrain from preempting any outcomes,” he advised.
Following the resolution of the petition, the Appointments Committee proceeded and vetted Justice Ackaah-Boafo.
