Appoinment Committee Chairman,Bernard Ahiafor has dismissed a last-minute petition against Supreme Court nominee Justice Kwaku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, labeling the complaint as legally groundless and procedurally improper. The decision paves the way for the judge’s likely confirmation to the country’s highest court.
The petition, filed by one Anthony Kwabenya Rau, alleged that Justice Ackaah-Boafo had insulted and disrespected him during proceedings in the case of Adolf Xavier Ghana Limited v. DVLA, referring to the petitioner as “arrogant” and “power drunk.” The nominee has denied the allegations, and the Appointments Committee found no evidence to support them.
“The allegations contained in the petition—that the judge insulted and attacked the petitioner—are completely unfounded,” Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor stated during the vetting session on Friday. “It is a complete abuse of the process.”
Justice Ackaah-Boafo’s appearance before the committee had been briefly delayed due to the petition. However, following a review of the judgment and other court records, Ahiafor said the claims failed to meet even a minimal legal threshold for consideration.
“The Appointments Committee cannot serve as a substitute for the Supreme Court or Judicial Council,” Mr. Ahiafor added. “This matter has already been addressed through appropriate judicial channels, including an appeal exercised by the petitioner.”
Further complicating the petition’s credibility, documents submitted in support of Rau’s claim were determined to relate to a separate corruption complaint involving another judicial officer, Charles Idan. The committee found no connection between those allegations and Justice Ackaah-Boafo.
“The additional documents have no bearing on the nominee,” Ahiafor said. “They are unrelated and inadmissible.”
In his final ruling, the committee chair described the petition as “frivolous, vexatious, worthless, unmeritorious,” echoing a sentiment often reserved for complaints deemed to lack any legal merit or factual grounding.
Justice Ackaah-Boafo is the final nominee among seven judges of the Court of Appeal recommended by President John Dramani Mahama for elevation to the Supreme Court. His vetting now clears a key procedural hurdle in the confirmation process.
Source:TheDotNews