High Court denies bail to Salomey Awiti Baffoe

The High Court has denied a bail application filed on behalf of Salomey Awiti Baffoe, following opposition from the prosecution.

The State argued that the 40-year-old Senior Nursing Officer from Techiman is still required to assist with ongoing investigations into the case.

Salomey Awiti Baffoe is facing charges of allegedly abetting the publication of false news in connection with the high-profile “Ghana Jollof” TikTok case.

In its ruling on Thursday, September 24, the court said the investigation is cyber-related and that releasing the accused at this stage could create a real risk of interference with witnesses.

The court consequently refused the bail application and directed the Republic to expedite its investigations.

Counsel for the accused, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, had urged the court to grant bail, arguing that his client is presumed innocent under the Constitution and is therefore entitled to bail.

He argued that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient grounds to justify continued detention, relying instead on what he described as bare depositions.

According to counsel, the charge against his client is a misdemeanour and does not carry the level of seriousness that would ordinarily warrant the denial of bail.

He also disputed claims that the accused could interfere with investigations or witnesses if released, saying the prosecution had not presented evidence to support such concerns.

Counsel further drew the court’s attention to the accused’s personal circumstances, including her responsibilities as a mother of minor children.

He told the court that one of her children is due to enrol in Senior High School but that her continued detention was affecting the child’s enrolment.

He therefore urged the court to admit his client to bail.

The prosecution, however, opposed the application, maintaining that the accused is still needed to assist investigators.

The State further argued that investigators require her continued custody to help trace a second accused person identified as “Ghana Jollof.”

The court, after considering the arguments, maintained that the cyber-related nature of the investigation created a risk of interference with witnesses if the accused were released at this stage.

The bail application was therefore refused, with the court directing the Republic to expedite the investigations.

By Esther Padmore Amonoo