Proceedings at the Accra High Court were briefly overshadowed on Wednesday after lawyers for Salomey Baffoe disclosed that her lead counsel, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, had been invited by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The development occurred during the hearing of Ms Baffoe’s bail application in a case in which she has been charged with abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication of false news linked to the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
The circumstances surrounding the reported invitation remain unclear, including the reason EOCO officials wanted to speak with the lawyer.
A video obtained by Adomonline.com showed Nana Baffour Awuah involved in a heated exchange with a woman identified as an EOCO official outside the court premises.
In the footage, the woman appeared to have blocked the lawyer’s vehicle. Mr Baffour Awuah, who appeared visibly agitated, pushed her aside before getting into his vehicle and driving away.
The incident added to the uncertainty surrounding the EOCO development as proceedings continued over Ms Baffoe’s application for bail.
Bail hearing adjourned
Nana Baffour Awuah had appeared in court as lead counsel for Ms Baffoe when the prosecution requested additional time to respond to the bail application.
The defence opposed the request, arguing that the application concerned the accused person’s liberty and should therefore be dealt with urgently.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to Thursday, September 24, and directed the prosecution to file and serve its response by 9:00 a.m.
The reported interaction involving the lawyer and the EOCO official occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing proceedings, although no official explanation has yet been given regarding the purpose of the invitation.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, has been leading Ms Baffoe’s defence team since her arrest and has challenged aspects of the allegations against her.
Baffoe faces abetment charge
Ms Baffoe was remanded by the Adentan Circuit Court after pleading not guilty to a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news.
Police allege that she assisted Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, whom they identify as the operator of the “Ghana Jollof” social media account, in distributing online content and recruiting other individuals to circulate the material.
The defence has rejected the allegations and is seeking bail for Ms Baffoe.
The latest court proceedings have therefore left two developments unresolved: the prosecution’s response to the bail application and the circumstances surrounding the reported EOCO invitation to the lawyer.
