The approval of two justices designate for the Supreme Court has received mixed approval from Parliament’s Appointment Committee which vetted them yesterday, May 11, 2020.
An Appeal Court judge, Justice Clemence Honyenuga had his approval deferred to the plenary after a 10-7 majority vote on his approval, while Justice Issifu Omro Tanko Amadu, was unanimously endorsed by the committee.
The approval of the two justices came after they appeared before the committee where they answered questions on their level of knowledge on constitutional law, legal reforms, legal education, judgements they had made, among others.
A member of the Appointment Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed to ABC News, the difficulty they had in supporting the approval of Justice Honyenuga saying the report on his nomination would be sent to the plenary of Parliament for a full debate and for a vote to be taken.
“If Justice Honyenuga had won by consensus like his colleague Tanko, it means that report to the plenary will just follow the motion and it will be a simple voice vote and not a rancorous debate for a yes and no vote. The minority was not convinced, he was not forthright and sincere. He breached several provisions Rules 1, 2, 5, and particularly 6 of the Code of Conduct for judges and magistrates which frowns on judges endorsing a political office holder,” he stated.
Source: abcnewsgh
