Judges’ conference forces further adjournment of Salomey Baffoe case to Oct. 5

The case of Salomey Awiti Baffoe, a senior nursing officer, has been delayed for further proceedings. Baffoe stands accused of abetment of crime in relation to the alleged dissemination of false information on social media. This decision was made by the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 30, following the ongoing Association of Judges and Magistrates Conference.

Ms Baffoe's request for bail was denied by the High Court on September 24. The court's decision to deny bail was based on the prosecution's argument that Baffoe was still required to assist with ongoing investigations. The court deemed the cyber-related nature of the case as posing a risk to the investigation should she be released.

Baffoe's legal counsel, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, had requested bail, asserting that his client was presumed innocent and that the prosecution had not provided sufficient justification for her continued detention. He pointed out that the charge was a misdemeanour and challenged the court's concern about possible interference if Baffoe were released on bail. He also took into account her personal circumstances as a mother, with one of her children preparing to enter Senior High School.

Enoch Afoakwa, another member of Baffoe's defense team, questioned the evidential basis for the court's concern about potential interference. He argued that the prosecution's affidavit mainly consisted of "bare depositions" rather than actual evidence demonstrating Baffoe's ability to interfere with witnesses or the investigation. The defense team plans to challenge the bail refusal, possibly through an appeal.

Baffoe, a 40-year-old from Techiman, was arrested in September and arraigned before the Adentan Circuit Court, where she pleaded not guilty. She was charged under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), for abetment of crime, specifically related to the alleged publication of false news. The prosecution claims that Baffoe served as a liaison for UK-based TikTok personality Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, also known as "Ghana Jollof."

The arrangement involved recruiting individuals to redistribute videos made by Kodua across various social media platforms. Investigators allege that financial transactions between the two women were part of this arrangement, with Kodua sending money to Baffoe to facilitate the distribution of the videos. Portions of this money were allegedly distributed to others involved in circulating the content.

The police have designated Kodua as a person of interest as the investigation continues into the alleged publication of false news, incitement, and offensive conduct related to the "Ghana Jollof" account.