The High Court in Accra, Ghana, has adjourned the bail application hearing for Salomey Baffoe, accused of abetting the publication of false information on a TikTok account named 'Ghana Jollof', to September 24. The court granted the prosecution's request for additional time to respond to the defence's bail application. Baffoe's lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, had opposed the adjournment, arguing that his client's liberty was at stake and the delay could undermine the purpose of the bail application.
According to the prosecution, the Attorney-General's Office was served with the bail application on Friday, but due to a public holiday on Monday, the application had not yet been assigned to a lawyer for a response. Assistant State Attorney Carl Afedzi Forson told the court that he was not the substantive lawyer handling the case and needed time to prepare a response. The defence argued that the prosecution had had sufficient time to respond and that further delays could be detrimental to Baffoe's case.
Baffoe's lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, emphasized that applications involving an accused person's liberty could be heard even on weekends, and the relevant period for the State to respond should continue to run despite the public holiday. He cautioned that if the court granted the adjournment, Baffoe would have spent about two weeks in custody by the time the State filed and served its response. The defence maintained that there was evidence that the prosecution had been served with the application and noted that the State had not claimed it had been short-served.
The court acknowledged that Baffoe's liberty was at stake and stressed that the State could not take the matter for granted. In its ruling, the court adjourned the bail application to September 24 and directed the Republic to file any processes it intended to rely on and serve them on the defence by 9:00 a.m. on the scheduled date. Baffoe remains in custody pending the determination of her bail application. Her case has garnered significant attention, with many following the developments closely.
The 'Ghana Jollof' case has sparked a national conversation about the publication of false information on social media and its implications. Baffoe is accused of aiding the publication of false information on a TikTok account with a large following. The case has raised concerns about the limits of free speech and the role of social media in disseminating information. Many have expressed support for Baffoe, arguing that she is being unfairly targeted.
The case has also highlighted the challenges of policing social media and the need for clear guidelines on online content. The Ghanaian government has been criticized for its handling of the case, with some arguing that it is overstepping its bounds. The case is being closely watched by human rights groups and media organizations, who are concerned about its implications for free speech in Ghana.
The High Court's decision to adjourn the bail application hearing has been met with mixed reactions. Some have expressed frustration at the delay, while others have welcomed the opportunity for the prosecution to prepare a response. The case is set to continue on September 24, when the court will hear the prosecution's response to the defence's bail application. Baffoe's fate remains uncertain, as she awaits the court's decision on her bail application.
Key points
- The High Court in Accra has adjourned the bail application hearing for Salomey Baffoe, accused of aiding false information publication on TikTok, to September 24.
- Baffoe's lawyer opposed the adjournment, arguing that his client's liberty was at stake and the delay could undermine the purpose of the bail application.
- The case has sparked a national conversation about the publication of false information on social media and its implications.
