Tension erupted at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23, as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) attempted to take Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, lead counsel for Salomey Baffoe, into custody. The incident occurred during proceedings on Ms Baffoe's bail application. She is facing an abetment of crime charge related to the alleged publication of false news on the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
Salomey Baffoe, 40, was arrested at her home in Hansua in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region on September 13. She has been charged with abetment of crime over her alleged publication and circulation of false news on social media. Ms Baffoe pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication of false news, contrary to sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The court declined to grant her bail and remanded her in custody for two weeks. The prosecution alleges that Ms Baffoe worked as an intermediary for Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, known as ‘Ghana Jollof,’ and supported the circulation of her videos by engaging other individuals to share and redistribute the material. The prosecution claims that Ms Baffoe facilitated the circulation of videos produced by Barbara Asantewaa Kodua by serving as an intermediary and enlisting others to share the content.
The case has sparked concerns about freedom of speech in Ghana. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana, has spoken out on issues concerning freedom of speech, noting that Ghana's democracy can only be strengthened when citizens are free to express themselves without fear of arrest or prosecution for their speech. He emphasized that those who oppose and speak freely against politicians should not face arrest or prosecution for expressing their views.
Dr Bawumia's comments follow a plea urging the government to release a National Democratic Congress (NDC) organiser in Agona West who is facing charges over alleged offensive comments made about him. He stated that he neither lodged complaints nor sanctioned the prosecution of individuals who spoke against him during his tenure as Vice President or while the NPP was in government.
The Tribunals Bill, 2026, which was recently passed by Parliament, has also been a subject of debate. Dr Bawumia has added to the many individuals cautioning President John Dramani Mahama against assenting to the bill. The Tribunals Bill seeks to address the lacuna in the legal framework of Ghana regarding tribunals. President John Dramani Mahama is expected to give his assent in the coming days before it becomes law.
The incident at the Accra High Court has raised concerns about the balance between national security and individual freedoms. The court has yet to establish the allegations against Ms Baffoe. The case will continue to be monitored as it has implications for freedom of speech and the role of social media in Ghana's democracy.
Key points
- The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) attempted to take Salomey Baffoe's lawyer into custody during bail application proceedings at the Accra High Court.
- Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has spoken out on issues concerning freedom of speech, emphasizing that Ghana's democracy can only be strengthened when citizens are free to express themselves without fear of arrest or prosecution.
- The Tribunals Bill, 2026, which was recently passed by Parliament, has sparked debate and concerns about its potential impact on individual freedoms.
