The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has said the nomination of His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for consideration as Chief Justice does not come as news to the opposition party.

Reacting to a statement from the Presidency on The Pulse on JoyNews following the announcement of the nomination on Tuesday, Mr Mustapha argued that the NPP had long suspected President John Dramani Mahama would elevate Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to the position, particularly after the suspension of Justice Gertrude Torkonor.

"It is no news. This has been cooking for a very long time," he said.

According to him, the development is part of what he described as a “dark plan” by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), which he claims has now been executed. "The dark has been fully cooked now and it is been served on the dinner table."

He added,"It is a shame that we have gotten to this point. This is the first time I have seen in the history of our country, a democratically elected president interfering directly in the work of the judiciary, removing the Chief Justice."

In the communique issued by the Presidency Communications, it is noted that President Mahama, acting in line with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, had forwarded the name of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to the Council of State for consideration as Chief Justice of the Republic.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has served at the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and currently the Supreme Court, and has been Acting Chief Justice since April this year, after Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has been suspended.

The Council of State is expected to consider the nomination in the coming days.