The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called for an immediate review of the continued detention of 40-year-old principal nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh, urging the Adenta Circuit Court to grant her reasonable bail.
Bafoh was arrested at her home in Hansua, in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region, on September 13 and later brought before the Adenta Circuit Court.
She pleaded not guilty to a charge of abetment of crime, specifically the alleged publication of false news, under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The court denied her bail and remanded her for two weeks. She is expected to reappear on September 30.
Prosecutors allege that Bafoh acted as a liaison for Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”, and helped circulate videos produced by her by recruiting others to redistribute the content.
The prosecution further alleges that Kodua, who is based in the United Kingdom, transferred money to Bafoh to support the activities, with some of the funds allegedly given to others involved in circulating the videos.
Kodua is currently at large.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Friday, September 18, the NPP raised concerns about Bafoh’s continued detention while investigations are still ongoing.
“Pre-trial detention must not become a substitute for investigation or punishment before conviction,” the party said, calling for the basis of her continued detention to be reviewed.
The NPP also questioned aspects of the prosecution’s case, particularly what it described as changes in the allegations presented before the court.
According to the party, these circumstances raised “serious questions about the basis for her continued detention” and called for clarity on the legal and territorial basis for proceedings at the Adenta Circuit Court.
The party stressed that Bafoh’s constitutional rights must be protected, including her right to personal liberty, the presumption of innocence and a fair trial.
It therefore called for “the immediate review of Madam Salomey’s continued detention and her admission to reasonable bail.”
The allegations against Bafoh, including claims about the content and circulation of the videos, remain before the court and have not been established.
