Salomey Awity Baffoe's lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has rejected police claims that his client received money from Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, the operator of the 'Ghana Jollof' TikTok account. According to MyJoyOnline, Baffour Awuah appeared on Joy News' Eyewitness News on Tuesday, 22 September, and insisted that Baffoe never received funds to recruit anyone or gave money to others to do so.
The Ghana Police Service had accused Kodua of remitting money to Baffoe in Ghana to support the publication and circulation of online content. Police alleged that Baffoe then shared portions of that money with others involved in redistributing videos linked to the account across social media platforms. The allegations were based on a forensic examination of Baffoe's mobile phone, audio and video files, and mobile money transaction records.
Baffour Awuah disputed the account given by CID Director-General COP Lydia Donkor at a press briefing on the case, describing the information she presented as doubtful. He also stated that his client does not know anyone by the name 'Jollof,' but added that a person could be known to Baffoe under their real identity rather than an online alias.
The dispute over the alleged money transfer is the latest twist in a case that has already produced conflicting claims. Chale News previously reported on confusion after police appeared to name two different women as 'Ghana Jollof' and later formally identified UK-based Barbara Kodua as the account's operator and declared her wanted.
Baffour Awuah has also previously raised concerns about his client's health while in custody, warning the court and government about her wellbeing during detention. Baffoe is facing a charge of abetment of crime, specifically the publication of false news, and has pleaded not guilty.
Under Ghanaian law, abetment of crime generally refers to assisting, encouraging or facilitating another person to commit an offence. Baffoe was remanded by the Adentan Circuit Court and is due to reappear on 30 September 2026 as investigations continue. No further timeline for Kodua's case, who remains wanted by police, has been given.
The case has become a flashpoint in Ghana's debate over online speech, TikTok content and how far police can go in probing digital communications. The dispute over whether money actually moved between the two women goes to the heart of whether prosecutors can prove a coordinated scheme, or whether the case rests on contested forensic interpretation of phone and mobile money data.
Key points
- Lawyer disputes police claims of money transfer between Salomey Baffoe and 'Ghana Jollof' TikTok operator.
- Case has become a flashpoint in Ghana's debate over online speech and TikTok content.
- Baffoe faces abetment of crime charge and is due to reappear in court on 30 September 2026.
