An Accra High Court has denied bail to Salomey Awiti Bafoh, a nurse accused of abetting a UK-based TikToker to publish and disseminate false news which seeks to overthrow the government. The Court said Salomey was likely to interfere with cyber-related materials if granted bail, noting that investigations into the case were still ongoing. This decision was made in a virtual hearing where the High Court took turns to hear the arguments of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, counsel for Salomey, and Maame Korantemaa Aboagye-Darko, a State Attorney.
Salomey is being held for allegedly abetting the publication and dissemination of false news by a TikToker known as Ghana Jollof, in a matter said to have national security implications. The Court said the Police needed Salomey to assist with ongoing investigations involving cyber-related materials. It directed the Police to expedite their investigations and said the applicant could renew her bail application if there were any new developments.
The Court also ordered that Salomey be provided with the necessary medical attention. Defence counsel drew the Court’s attention to two settled legal principles, including the presumption of innocence under Article 14 of the 1992 Constitution and the right of an accused person to bail. Counsel argued that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate why bail should not be granted to Salomey.
Counsel for Salomey disputed the prosecution’s assertion that the charge was a serious offence, submitting that the offence is a misdemeanour and the punishment was a fine or a soft punishment. He also disputed the prosecution’s assertion that Salomey was likely to interfere with witnesses. He urged the Court to consider the welfare of her three children, who had not seen their mother for the past 12 days.
Maame Aboagye-Darko, the State Attorney, opposed the bail application, saying investigations were ongoing. The State Attorney argued that the presumption of innocence was not, in itself, sufficient grounds for granting bail. “We further submit that ill health is not sufficient grounds for the grant of bail,” she said.
Salomey was remanded into Police custody by the Adenta Circuit Court for allegedly abetting a UK-based TikToker, Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as Ghana Jollof, to publish false news. Salomey is alleged to have aided Barbara in publishing and disseminating false news on September 13, 2026. The alleged offence is said to relate to a matter affecting national security.
Salomey, who has been charged with abetment of crime, has pleaded not guilty and is expected to reappear on September 30, 2026. The case has raised concerns about the role of social media in the dissemination of information and the impact on national security.
Key points
- The Accra High Court denied bail to Salomey Awiti Bafoh due to ongoing investigations and the potential for interference with cyber-related materials.
- Salomey Awiti Bafoh is accused of abetting a UK-based TikToker to publish and disseminate false news with national security implications.
- The Court ordered that Salomey be provided with necessary medical attention and directed the Police to expedite their investigations.
