A Ghanaian citizen, Gbande Nabin Yussif, has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to initiate proceedings for the removal of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Acting Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court, over what he describes as “stated misbehaviour” under Article 146(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
In the petition dated and addressed to the President at the Jubilee House, Mr. Yussif alleged that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s recent conduct in relation to a pending constitutional case breaches several provisions of Ghana’s Judicial Code of Conduct and contravenes the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, which guide judges globally.
“The conduct of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie… breaches multiple provisions of the Judicial Code of Conduct for Judges and Magistrates of Ghana, and offends internationally recognised principles of judicial behaviour,” the petitioner stated.
He further accused the Acting Chief Justice of actions that, in his view, undermine the credibility of the judiciary and erode public trust in the administration of justice.
“His statements to a plaintiff in a pending constitutional case breach multiple provisions of Ghana’s Judicial Code of Conduct, contravene principles of judicial propriety, independence, impartiality, and integrity, and severely damage public confidence in the administration of justice,” Mr. Yussif argued.
Citing Article 146(1) of the Constitution, which provides for the removal of a Justice of the Superior Court on grounds of “stated misbehaviour or incompetence,” the petitioner called on President Mahama to trigger the necessary constitutional processes.
“I therefore respectfully petition Your Excellency to take immediate steps under Article 146 of the Constitution to ensure that this matter is investigated by the appropriate tribunal and that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is removed from office should he be found culpable,” the petition concluded.
Mr. Yussif noted that he had attached copies of media publications on the alleged meeting between the judge and a plaintiff, as well as a copy of the writ filed by the plaintiffs in the said case, to support his petition.
The Office of the President is yet to comment on whether the petition has been received or referred to the appropriate body for consideration.
