By Daniel Bampoe
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has stepped up its support for detained nurse Salomey Awiti Bafoh after the High Court refused her bail application in the controversial “Ghana Jollof” case.
Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh led members of the Caucus and the legal team to the court, where the bail application was heard virtually.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Manhyia South MP and counsel for Ms Bafoh, addressed the media after the court’s decision.
He said the defence was not responsible for any delay in the hearing, explaining that the court did not sit until about 2 p.m. The application was eventually heard but rejected on the grounds that investigations were still ongoing.
According to counsel, the court was concerned that the investigation involved cyber-related evidence and that keeping Ms Bafoh in custody would reduce the risk of vital evidence being deleted.
Baffour Awuah said the defence respected the court’s decision but disagreed with the reasoning.
He argued that the police charge sheet indicated that investigations concerning Ms Bafoh had already reached a conclusion, with investigators instead pursuing other individuals allegedly involved in redistributing the videos.
He also pointed out that Ms Bafoh’s phones had already been seized by the police, making it difficult, in his view, for her to delete evidence stored on the devices.
The lawyer said the defence would therefore challenge the ruling through the appropriate legal channels.
Appeal planned
Baffour Awuah disclosed that he had received instructions from Ms Bafoh’s family to pursue an appeal against the refusal of bail.
He said the legal team would also petition the Chief Justice to consider an expedited hearing, including the possibility of the Court of Appeal sitting during the judicial vacation because the matter concerns the liberty of a detained person.
He explained that once the court record was transmitted, the lawyers would seek to have the appeal determined quickly.
The defence’s case has also highlighted Ms Bafoh’s responsibilities as a mother of three minor children.
Baffour Awuah said her continued detention had affected the family, particularly her 15-year-old child, who he said had remained at home during the transition from basic to secondary education.
He said the legal team would pursue every lawful avenue to secure Ms Bafoh’s liberty and reunite her with her children.
The Ghana Jollof case
Ms Bafoh, a senior nursing officer based in the Techiman area, is facing an allegation of abetment of the publication and circulation of false news in connection with content attributed to TikTok personality Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”.
Police allege that Ms Bafoh acted as a liaison for Ghana Jollof and assisted in distributing videos through other individuals.
Investigators have also alleged that some of the material contained statements capable of inciting violence.
Ms Bafoh has denied the allegations and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Ghana Jollof, who is believed to be based in the United Kingdom, has separately been declared wanted by the police over the investigation.
The case has attracted significant political and public attention, particularly over questions surrounding freedom of expression, social-media regulation and the state’s response to controversial online publications.
Ms Bafoh is expected to return before the Adentan Circuit Court on September 30, 2026.
