Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the lawyer representing the nurse standing trial for allegedly abetting the publication of false news in connection with the “Ghana Jollof” case, says the defence will appeal the High Court’s decision to deny his client bail.
The Accra High Court refused to grant bail to Salomey Awiti Baffoe on Thursday, September 24, after the prosecution opposed her release. The State argued that she was still needed to assist with ongoing investigations.
The defence has also said it will petition the Chief Justice to allow the Court of Appeal to sit, if necessary, to hear the matter because it concerns Ms Baffoe’s liberty.
In its ruling, the High Court said the investigation was cyber-related and that releasing Ms Baffoe at this stage could create a real risk of interference with witnesses.
However, her lawyer has challenged the reason for keeping her in custody. He argued that the police charge sheet shows that investigations directly involving Ms Baffoe have already been completed.
Speaking to the media after the ruling, Nana Agyei Baffour said the remaining investigations were focused on other people who are alleged to have redistributed the videos.
“Per the charge sheet, what is outstanding is rather the search for third parties who are alleged to have done the redistribution of the videos.”
He also questioned how Ms Baffoe could interfere with information when the police had already seized her mobile phones.
The lawyer said the police already had possession of her phones and, based on statements from the police, had accessed the devices and made certain findings.
However, the defence disputed how the phone was examined. The lawyers argued that if the police accessed the device, it was done without the knowledge or presence of counsel and without Ms Baffoe’s consent.
Although the defence said it respected the High Court’s decision, Nana Agyei Baffour maintained that the court did not give enough consideration to what he described as important documentary evidence.
He said this was why the defence disagreed with the ruling and had decided to challenge it.
Nana Agyei Baffour said Ms Baffoe’s family had instructed the legal team to take all necessary legal steps to secure her release.
“I’ve been instructed by the family to proceed to ensure that the liberty of the mother of three minor children is secured.”
“We are proceeding by filing an appeal against the decision of the High Court,” he said.
Apart from filing the appeal, the defence plans to petition the Chief Justice to help ensure that the case is heard quickly by the Court of Appeal.
The lawyer also spoke about the impact of Ms Baffoe’s detention on her three minor children.
He said the children continued to ask about their mother, with particular concern about her 15-year-old child.
According to Nana Agyei Baffour, the teenager has remained at home and has not been able to join his classmates in Form One as he moves from basic school to secondary school.
“We are going to do everything within our power and our means and in accordance with the law to ensure that the liberty of Madam Salome Awiti Baffoe is secured,” he stressed.
