The Abduction of Salomey Baffoe: A Nurse, a TikTok Ghost, and a State That Says It Knows Nothing

 

Political and legal figures challenge court’s decision to keep Techiman nurse in custody

The two-week remand of a Techiman-based senior nursing officer over her alleged connection to the controversial “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account has drawn sharp criticism from political figures and legal practitioners, prompting fresh questions about justice and free expression in Ghana.

Salomey Awity Baffoe, a 40-year-old mother of three, was ordered by the Adenta Circuit Court 1 to remain in police custody for two weeks after pleading not guilty to abetment of crime, specifically the alleged publication and circulation of false news. She is expected back in court on September 30, 2026.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye questions basis for detention

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a senior aide to NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, expressed surprise at the court’s decision, asking why someone described as a third party connected to a person being sought by police should face such a long detention.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Friday, September 18, 2026, Aboagye asked what offence could justify remanding an alleged associate of a wanted individual for two weeks.

He noted that even the actual person accused of publishing false news would not ordinarily face such a lengthy remand, let alone someone merely believed to know the primary suspect.

Aboagye also questioned whether the action was consistent with democratic values. “Is that how a country is run? Which aspect of this whole plot represents how a democratic nation is run?” he asked.

He accused the government of applying the law selectively, arguing that authorities were pursuing people whose comments they disliked while protecting those whose conduct served their interests. He also criticised what he called “cruelty to a fellow citizen” and demanded to know what justification from the press could warrant such treatment.

Martin Kpebu challenges remand necessity

Prominent private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu also criticised the decision to keep Baffoe in custody for two weeks.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, Kpebu argued that investigators could simply seize Baffoe’s phone and obtain the necessary authorisation to examine its contents without detaining her.

“Based on my experience as a lawyer, from what I read, I don’t think this woman should be in custody. I don’t think so,” he said.

Kpebu explained that the content under investigation had already been published, meaning detectives could focus on available digital evidence instead of keeping Baffoe behind bars. He acknowledged that remand might be justified in cases involving direct threats or serious offences, but maintained that this case did not meet that threshold.

He also questioned the effectiveness of relying on arrests to address the Ghana Jollof phenomenon, noting that the account remained active while Baffoe was in custody. “Yesterday, whilst we were having radio interviews about Salomey in custody, Ghana Jollof was blasting and blasting even the police. So, she’s still out there,” he remarked.

NPP raises concerns over changing prosecution narrative

The New Patriotic Party issued a strongly worded statement calling for an immediate review of Baffoe’s continued detention, highlighting what it described as a dramatic shift in the prosecution’s case.

According to the party, when Baffoe first appeared before the court on September 16, prosecutors alleged she was connected to an alleged plot to overthrow the government. However, the following day, the charge was changed to abetment of publication of false news under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

“This dramatic change in the prosecution’s case raises serious questions about the basis for her continued detention,” the party stated.

The NPP also questioned the territorial jurisdiction of the Adenta Circuit Court, pointing out that Baffoe resides in Techiman. It demanded that prosecutors show what specific act constituting the alleged abetment occurred within the court’s jurisdiction.

The party further alleged that Baffoe was held incommunicado for several days after her arrest and called on the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council to take note of concerns surrounding the handling of politically sensitive cases.

Bawumia demands release, warns against suppressing free speech

NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia weighed in on the controversy, describing the circumstances surrounding Baffoe’s arrest as “very worrying” and calling for her immediate release.

In a statement shared on social media, Bawumia said the nurse was picked up in the middle of the night by national intelligence officers and subsequently remanded for two weeks over allegations that she aided the publication of false news.

“This is not the Ghana we want to build,” Bawumia declared, adding that intelligence agencies should not be reduced to pursuing citizens for insulting political leaders.

While reiterating his opposition to political insults, Bawumia stressed that such opposition should not come at the expense of constitutional rights. “Free speech, as unpalatable as it may be sometimes, is the foundation of our democracy,” he stated.

He also accused the government of selectively applying the law, claiming that some citizens are able to insult others and remain free while others are arrested or jailed because the government objects to the target of their comments.

Police detail alleged financial network and high-profile sponsors

The Criminal Investigation Department has defended its investigation, with CID Director-General COP Lydia Yaako Donkor providing detailed findings at a press briefing on Friday, September 18, 2026.

According to COP Donkor, police intelligence had been monitoring the Ghana Jollof account, which was allegedly used to publish offensive and inciteful comments, as well as false information capable of causing fear and alarm.

Investigations identified Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, believed to be domiciled in the United Kingdom, as the owner of the account. Police allege that Kodua used the platform to produce videos containing offensive statements, including a false claim that there had been a near coup d’état at the Jubilee House.

COP Donkor alleged that Baffoe assisted Kodua by recruiting other individuals to redistribute the videos across various social media platforms. Forensic examination of Baffoe’s phone and mobile money records reportedly uncovered financial transactions involving “highly influential persons” who allegedly transferred significant sums of money to Baffoe, who in turn shared portions with Kodua.

The police claim that Kodua, while in the UK, remitted money to Baffoe in Ghana to support the activities, and Baffoe allegedly distributed portions of the funds to others involved in redistributing the content.

COP Donkor stated that forensic analysis of voices, audio and video files, and other information retrieved from mobile devices would be presented as evidence in court. She also warned the public that publications or conduct contravening Ghana’s laws—including the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772) and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)—may attract criminal sanctions.

Growing calls for national dialogue on political discourse

The controversy has sparked broader conversations about the state of political discourse in Ghana. Kpebu has called for a national conversation on political vitriol, arguing that the issue should not be reduced to handcuffs and police cells.

“That’s how come I thought that look, this thing is not about handcuffs and police cells and trials. It’s about a national conversation,” he said.

He noted that Ghana Jollof had stated she would stop her activities if figures like Kevin Taylor were restrained, suggesting that a broader truce on abusive political discourse might be necessary.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association has begun exploring legal avenues to secure Baffoe’s early release, and residents and chiefs of Jema in the Kintampo South District have protested her detention, demanding her release.

The case continues to unfold as Baffoe remains in custody pending her next court appearance on September 30. The allegations against her have not yet been established as criminal responsibility.

Source: Mynewsgh