The lawyer for Salomey Awiti Bafoh, a Techiman-based nurse and mother of three, has filed a bail application at the High Court Complex. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah submitted the application after the Adenta Circuit Court turned down an earlier oral bail request and ordered Bafoh held for two weeks. Bafoh has spent over 10 days in custody, accused of aiding TikToker Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, known as 'Ghana Jollof', in publishing and circulating videos described as false and inciting.
Bafoh faces one count of abetment of crime, specifically the publication of false news, for her alleged role in helping circulate Ghana Jollof's videos. She was picked up in the middle of the night by National Intelligence officers before being arraigned. Her lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, expressed confidence that she will be released, stating that investigations into her case have already concluded. Awuah challenged the rationale for keeping his client detained, questioning why she is being held if there are no outstanding investigations.
The case has reignited public debate over freedom of expression and the use of state security to silence dissent. Former Vice President and opposition New Patriotic Party 2028 flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia called for Bafoh's release, warning that security agencies should not be deployed against citizens over insults directed at the President or other public officials. Bawumia stated that this is not the Ghana they want to build.
The Ghana Police Service has declared Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, the TikToker known as 'Ghana Jollof', wanted. A police poster identified her as a 40-year-old fair-complexioned woman last seen at Accra International Airport on August 4, 2022, and believed to be currently in the United Kingdom. Authorities accuse her of producing videos containing offensive and inciting statements with the potential to provoke violence.
According to the police, Kodua allegedly threatened to "overthrow the Government of Ghana" and said she would "burn Ghana amongst other things". Although Kodua appears on the charge sheet as the second accused person, no specific charges have been formally levelled against her. The police are urging anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or call 0500100010.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has uncovered a web of alleged financial transactions linking Bafoh to high-profile individuals across the country. CID Director-General COP Lydia Donkor stated that forensic examination of Bafoh's mobile phone established a prior friendship between her and Kodua. Audio interviews conducted as part of the investigation reinforced this finding.
Bafoh's lawyer remains optimistic about her client's release, stating that she has not had her mother for the last 10 days and that her detention is unjustified. The case continues to attract attention, with many calling for Bafoh's release and debating the limits of free speech in Ghana.
Key points
- The Ghana Jollof saga has sparked a national debate on freedom of expression.
- Nurse Salomey Bafoh has been in custody for over 10 days.
- The police have declared TikToker 'Ghana Jollof' wanted.
