Bawumia condemns midnight arrest of Techiman nurse, demands release over free speech concerns
NPP flagbearer warns against selective justice and calls for Salomey’s release
Opposition leader Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has urged the release of a senior nurse, Salomey Awity Baffoe, who has been held in custody over alleged connections to the controversial "Ghana Jollof" TikTok account. In a Facebook post, Dr Bawumia expressed concerns over the arrest and remand of the nurse, questioning the protection of free speech in Ghana.
The NPP flagbearer highlighted that the situation did not reflect the kind of Ghana he envisioned, and cautioned against using intelligence agencies to target citizens for speech deemed offensive to public officials. Dr Bawumia reiterates the importance of free expression as the bedrock of Ghana's democracy, despite the potentially controversial nature of some speech.
He additionally accused the government of unequal application of the law, pointing out that some individuals are allowed to make disparaging comments without facing prosecution, while others are arrested and jailed solely based on the targets of their remarks. Dr Bawumia called for Baffoe's immediate release and for the protection of freedom of expression.
The case against Baffoe involves allegations of aiding and abetting the publication of false news on social media, stemming from her alleged role in disseminating videos produced by the "Ghana Jollof" account holder, Barbara Asantewaa Kodua. Baffoe, a mother of three, was arrested by security operatives at night and has been denied bail.
Her lawyer has questioned the detention, particularly given the reported location of the account's alleged mastermind in the United Kingdom.
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- Bawumia Demands Release of Remanded Nurse thechronicle.com.gh
