Senior Nursing Officer Salomey Awiti Baffoe will remain in custody after the Accra High Court adjourned her case to October 5, 2026.
The case, which centres on an alleged social media false-news publication, was adjourned on Wednesday, September 30, because of the ongoing Association of Judges and Magistrates Conference.
The adjournment comes less than a week after the court rejected Ms Baffoe’s application for bail.
The prosecution had opposed her release, maintaining that she remained necessary to assist with investigations into the case.
In its ruling last Thursday, September 24, the High Court found that the cyber-related nature of the allegations created a risk that witnesses or the investigation could be interfered with if she was released at that stage. The court consequently directed the Republic to expedite its investigations.
Ms Baffoe’s defence, however, has challenged the basis for keeping her in custody.
Her lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, argued that she was presumed innocent and that the prosecution had not established sufficient grounds to justify her continued detention.
The defence also pointed out that the charge against her is a misdemeanour and disputed the prosecution’s contention that she could interfere with investigations if granted bail.
Her lawyers further cited her responsibilities as a mother, including the fact that one of her children is preparing to enter Senior High School.
Following the bail ruling, another member of the defence team, Enoch Afoakwa, questioned the evidential basis for the court’s concerns about possible interference.
He argued that the prosecution’s affidavit was largely based on what he described as “bare depositions” rather than evidence showing that Ms Baffoe had the capacity to interfere with witnesses or ongoing investigations.
The defence has indicated that it intends to challenge the refusal of bail, including through an appeal.
Ms Baffoe, 40, a Senior Nursing Officer from Techiman, was arrested in September and subsequently arraigned before the Adentan Circuit Court. She pleaded not guilty to abetment of crime, specifically allegations relating to the publication of false news under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The prosecution alleges that Ms Baffoe acted as a liaison for UK-based TikTok personality Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”, and helped recruit individuals to redistribute videos produced by her on social media.
Investigators further allege that Ms Kodua transferred money to Ms Baffoe as part of the arrangement, with portions of the funds subsequently distributed to other individuals allegedly involved in circulating the content.
Police have declared Ms Kodua wanted as investigations continue into allegations of false-news publication, incitement and offensive conduct associated with the “Ghana Jollof” account.
The case will return to the High Court on October 5, 2026, when proceedings are expected to continue.
