Ghana Jollof Case: Nursing Officer’s Lawyers Challenge Remand, Seek High Court Bail

Lawyers for senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh have gone to the High Court seeking bail for their client, challenging the decision to keep her in custody over her alleged connection to the controversial “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.

The bail application was filed after Ms Bafoh was denied bail by the Adentan Circuit Court and remanded for two weeks.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 19, private legal practitioner Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, who is part of Ms Bafoh’s legal team, said the application was filed on Thursday and is expected to be heard on Wednesday.

He said the lawyers are asking the High Court to grant Ms Bafoh bail while she awaits trial.

Nursing officer pleads not guilty

Ms Bafoh, a senior nursing officer, was arrested at her home in Hansua near Techiman on September 13.

She was later brought before the Adentan Circuit Court, where she pleaded not guilty to a charge of abetment of crime relating to the alleged publication and circulation of false news.

The court subsequently refused her bail and ordered that she remain in custody for two weeks. She is expected to return to court on September 30.

What the prosecution alleges

The prosecution alleges that Ms Bafoh acted as a liaison for UK-based TikTok user Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”.

According to the allegations, Ms Bafoh helped recruit other people to redistribute videos produced by Ms Kodua.

The prosecution has further alleged that some of the videos contained inflammatory statements capable of provoking violence.

However, those claims remain allegations and have not yet been established by the court.

Lawyers challenge continued detention

With the Circuit Court refusing bail, Ms Bafoh’s lawyers have now turned to the High Court in an effort to secure her release pending trial.

The legal challenge comes amid growing public discussion over the case, including questions about bail, freedom of expression and the extent to which the state can use criminal law to deal with controversial social media content.

Her lawyers maintain that the High Court should consider the circumstances of her detention and grant bail while the case proceeds.

The latest application means the High Court will now have an opportunity to consider whether Ms Bafoh should remain in custody or be released under appropriate bail conditions.

For now, she remains in custody as the legal process continues, while the allegations against her are yet to be proven in court.