Vetting of Supreme Court Judges: How Muntaka exposed Justice Honyenuga for quoting the wrong article

Justice of the Appeals Court, Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga who has now been appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday 11,2020.

Justice Honyenuga in the process of answering questions asked by the committee members quoted a wrong article from the constitution in support of an answer he gave but was forced to admit to misquoting a portion of the constitution by the Member of Parliament for the Asawase Constituency, Muntaka Mubarak.

Hon. Muntaka in seeking clarification of the quoted Article asked Justice Honyenuga to read his claim from the constitution of which he [Justice Honyenuga] admitted that he quoted wrongly after reading.

“Justice Honyenuga, did I hear you quote Article 142 of the constitution with respect to the people?…I thought with respect to the numbers you were referring to 142 instead of 128.”

Justice Honyenuga after reading the constitution admitted by saying “You are right, I am wrong.”

Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga together with two others, Yoni Kulendi and Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu have been appointed by President Akufo-Addo to the Supreme Court to replace Justices Julius Ansah, Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe and Anthony Alfred Bennin who are due for retirement this year.

Justice Honyenuga recently incurred the wrath of many for publicly endorsing President Akufo-Addo for this year’s presidential election.

Reading from a written speech at a durbar of Chiefs and people of Nyagbo to welcome the President as part of his three-day tour in the Volta and Oti regions in February, the Court of Appeal judge, who doubles as the Paramount Chief of the Nyagbo Traditional Area in the Oti Region commended the president and hoped he emerges victorious in the forthcoming election.

Justice Honyenuga has however explained that the comment attributed to him does not reflect his personal view since he spoke on behalf of the chief and people of the Afadjato Traditional Council after they nominated him to be their spokesperson.