Ghana court denies Salomey Awiti Baffoe bail — MyJoyOnline

The High Court of Ghana denied bail to Salomey Awiti Baffoe, who is accused of aiding the dissemination of false news in a case connected to the TikTok account “Ghana Jollof.” The court concluded that releasing the 40-year-old senior nurse from Techiman at this stage could create a real risk of influencing witnesses, MyJoyOnline reports.

Prosecution’s position

The prosecution opposed the bail application, stating that Baffoe is still needed by police to assist with the investigation. According to the prosecution, her detention is also necessary to help locate the second accused person, identified as “Ghana Jollof.”

The court noted that the investigation is connected to the cyber sphere. After denying bail, it instructed the Republic to expedite the investigation.

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Defense arguments

Baffoe’s lawyer, Nana Agyie Baffour Awuah, insisted that his client enjoys the constitutional presumption of innocence and has a right to bail. He argued that it was the prosecution that had to prove the need for a denial, but, in his view, the state relied only on general assertions without sufficient grounds.

The defense lawyer also stressed that the offence attributed to Baffoe is a misdemeanor and does not carry the degree of seriousness that could usually justify denying bail. He disputed that his client could obstruct the investigation or influence witnesses, saying that the prosecution had provided no evidence of such a risk.

The lawyer also drew attention to Baffoe’s family circumstances: she is raising underage children, and her detention, according to the defense, affects a child’s enrollment in senior high school.