Sophia Akuffo’s vetting moved to Friday

The Chief Justice nominee Justice Sophia Akuffo will face the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Friday, June 16, 2017, instead of Monday, June 19, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei-Owusu has said.

President Akufo-Addo appointed Justice Akuffo to replace Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood who retired on June 7, 2017.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, Chairman of the Appointments Committee Joseph Osei-Owusu said his committee considered a number of factors before deciding on the date change.

He said there is vacancy already as retired Chief Justice Wood has already been appointed to the Council of State.

According to him, members of the Committee, reached a consensus to abridge the 14-day interval for receiving complaints on nominees, especially when there was no petition against Justice Akuffo

The Committee is already assessing past judgments of Justice Akuffo and her publications to be better informed about her performance at the Supreme Court.

She was scheduled to face the Appointments Committee on Monday, June, 19, but the date for vetting has been moved forward by the committee.

Before she assumes office, Akuffo JSC would have to get the approval of Parliament as per the country’s constitution.

Mr. Osei-Owusu stated that each member of the committee will be allocated 20 minutes each to question Mrs. Akuffo.