The case against Ghanaian nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti, detained for sharing Jollof TikTok videos, has sparked controversy and criticism from lawyers. Lawyer Martin Kpebu described the charge of "distribution" as "comical," arguing that TikTok livestreams automatically reach followers, implying no deliberate act of distribution. This challenges the prosecution's case, which has become entangled in a separate controversy over the treatment of Baffoe Awiti's lawyer.
On September 23, 2026, a woman claiming to be an Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) officer attempted to detain Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah outside the Accra High Court. The MP had just represented Baffoe Awiti at a bail hearing when the confrontation occurred. Video footage showed the woman asking the MP to accompany her, with the MP demanding to know her identity and the grounds for the intended arrest, leading to a scuffle.
The attempted arrest of the MP has raised questions about the applicability of parliamentary immunity in this context. According to Ghanaian law, MPs are shielded from civil or criminal process while attending parliamentary proceedings, but this protection may not apply when they are acting as lawyers. Article 14 of the Constitution protects personal liberty, requiring that anyone arrested be informed of their rights and brought before a court within 48 hours if not released.
Sources close to the MP have disputed that he received a formal EOCO invitation, alleging the attempted arrest was linked to his public defense of Baffoe Awiti. The incident has sparked concerns about the legitimacy of EOCO's actions and whether they followed statutory procedures. The controversy has added to growing political pressure over Baffoe Awiti's continued detention.
The Minority Women's Caucus in Parliament and former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia have separately called for Baffoe Awiti's release, more than ten days after she was remanded. The court had earlier remanded her for two weeks pending the outcome of her bail application, which was the specific hearing at which her lawyer was confronted outside the courtroom.
EOCO investigates financial and economic crimes, but the exact economic offense being pursued in this case has not been detailed. Neither the police nor EOCO have publicly responded to Kpebu's characterization of the distribution charge or questions about the identity and authority of the woman who attempted to detain the MP.
No date has been given for the next hearing of Baffoe Awiti's bail application or for any resolution of the questions raised over the courthouse confrontation. The case continues to raise concerns about the balance between free speech and the regulation of online content in Ghana.
Key points
- Lawyer Martin Kpebu challenges the charge of "distribution" against Salomey Baffoe Awiti, arguing it is "comical" and flawed.
- An EOCO officer attempted to detain MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah outside the Accra High Court, sparking controversy over parliamentary immunity and procedural legitimacy.
- Growing political pressure mounts for Baffoe Awiti's release, with calls from the Minority Women's Caucus and former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
