The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticised the continued detention of senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh, who has been remanded by the Adenta Circuit Court over an alleged role in the publication and circulation of false news on social media.
In a statement dated September 18 and signed by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said it was “deeply concerned” about the decision to remand Bafoh for an additional two weeks.
Bafoh, 40, who resides in Techiman, is accused of aiding and abetting UK-based TikToker Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof,” in the dissemination of social media content.
The prosecution alleges that Bafoh acted as a liaison for Kodua and recruited others to redistribute videos posted on TikTok. Investigators also allege that money was transferred from Kodua in the United Kingdom to Bafoh in Ghana to support the activities.
Bafoh has pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime, specifically the alleged publication and circulation of false news under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
NPP questions basis for continued detention
The NPP said it was particularly concerned that Bafoh had already spent about a week in custody before being further remanded while investigations remained ongoing.
According to the party, pre-trial detention should not become a substitute for investigation or punishment before conviction.
The party also cited Section 96 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which it said requires bail conditions to be reasonable and prohibits the withholding of bail as punishment.
The court previously declined to grant Bafoh bail after the prosecution argued that investigations were incomplete and that the allegations had national-security implications. She is expected to return to court on September 30, 2026.
Party raises jurisdiction concerns
The NPP also questioned the territorial jurisdiction of the Adenta Circuit Court, pointing out that Bafoh resides in Techiman.
The party said the prosecution should establish the specific alleged act constituting abetment that occurred within the jurisdiction of the Adenta court.
The NPP further expressed concern about what it described as an emerging pattern involving politically sensitive cases concerning social-media commentators and critics of government being brought before the same court.
It stressed, however, that it respected the constitutional independence of the Judiciary, while insisting that judicial independence should be accompanied by impartiality, fairness and adherence to due process.
NPP makes five demands
The party called for:
An immediate review of Bafoh’s continued detention and her admission to reasonable bail.
The prosecution to clearly establish the legal and territorial basis for the charge before the Adenta Circuit Court.
Full respect for Bafoh’s constitutional rights, including personal liberty, the presumption of innocence and a fair trial.
The Chief Justice and Judicial Council to take note of concerns surrounding the handling of politically sensitive cases before the Adenta Circuit Court.
The government and security agencies to desist from using the criminal justice system to intimidate or silence citizens who criticise those in power.
The party also questioned whether the Adenta Circuit Court was being used by the prosecution in a manner connected to what it described as the “old man” agenda, a reference it attributed to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s reported description of an agenda linked to President John Mahama.
The NPP did not provide evidence in its statement establishing such a connection.
Prosecution’s case
The prosecution’s case, as reported from court proceedings, is that Kodua allegedly used the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account to publish videos containing statements considered offensive and potentially capable of provoking violence.
Investigators allege that one of the videos contained threats to overthrow the government and statements about burning Ghana. They subsequently identified Bafoh as an alleged collaborator and accused her of helping recruit people to circulate the material.
Kodua, who is listed as the second accused, is currently outside Ghana and has been described as being in the United Kingdom. Police investigations are continuing, including efforts to identify other persons allegedly.
The NPP said it would continue to defend what it described as the constitutional rights and freedoms of Ghanaians regardless of political affiliation, arguing that public confidence in the justice system depends on perceptions of fairness and due process.
