The High Court in Accra has denied the bail application filed on behalf of Salomey Awity Baffoe, ruling that her release at this stage could interfere with witnesses in an ongoing cyber-related investigation.
Baffoe, a 40-year-old Senior Nursing Officer from Techiman, is facing a charge of allegedly abetting the publication of false information in connection with the high-profile “Ghana Jollof” TikTok case.
In its ruling today, Thursday, September 24, the court held that the nature of the investigation created a real risk of interference with witnesses should Baffoe be released at this stage.
The court consequently declined to grant bail but directed the Republic to expedite its investigations.
Defence Argues Prosecution Failed to Justify Continued Detention
Baffoe’s counsel, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, had urged the court to admit his client to bail, relying on the constitutional presumption of innocence and her entitlement to liberty pending trial.
Counsel argued that the burden was on the prosecution to establish why bail should not be granted and maintained that the State had failed to provide sufficient grounds to justify continued detention.
According to the defence, the prosecution had relied largely on bare depositions without placing adequate evidence before the court to demonstrate why Baffoe should remain in custody.
Mr Awuah also argued that the charge against his client was a misdemeanour and did not carry the level of seriousness that would ordinarily warrant a refusal of bail.
He challenged the prosecution’s suggestion that Baffoe could interfere with investigations or witnesses if released, arguing that no evidence had been presented to substantiate that concern.
Child’s Education Raised in Bail Plea
The defence also drew the court’s attention to Baffoe’s personal circumstances, particularly her responsibilities as a mother of minor children.
Counsel told the court that one of her children was due to enrol in Senior High School and that Baffoe’s continued detention was affecting the child’s enrolment.
He therefore urged the court to grant bail, arguing that appropriate conditions could be imposed to address any concerns the State might have.
The prosecution, however, opposed the application.
State Says Baffoe Needed to Assist Investigation
The Republic argued that Baffoe was still required to assist investigators in the ongoing case.
The prosecution further told the court that investigators needed her to remain in custody as they continued efforts to trace a second accused person identified as “Ghana Jollof.”
The State consequently urged the court to refuse the bail application.
After considering the submissions, the court concluded that the cyber-related nature of the investigation meant Baffoe’s release at this stage presented a real risk of interference with witnesses.
The court therefore declined to grant bail and instead directed the Republic to move quickly with its investigations.
Baffoe Remains in Custody as Investigations Continue
With the High Court having declined bail, Baffoe will remain in custody while the Republic continues its investigations.
The court’s directive to expedite the investigations now places the next phase of the case firmly before the prosecution, which is expected to continue its efforts to trace the second accused person and complete the cyber-related investigation.
The bail ruling does not determine Baffoe’s guilt or innocence. She remains entitled to the presumption of innocence as the substantive criminal proceedings continue.
