The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised concerns over the continued detention of a Techiman-based nurse, Salomey Awiti Bafoh, who has been remanded by the Adenta Circuit Court in connection with the alleged publication and circulation of false news on social media.
The party is questioning the basis for the court’s decision to remand Madam Bafoh for an additional two weeks, as well as the decision to prosecute her before the Adenta Circuit Court.
Madam Bafoh, a principal nursing officer and mother of three, was arrested in Techiman and subsequently brought to Accra.
She appeared before the Adenta Circuit Court on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to a charge of abetment of publication of false news, contrary to Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The prosecution alleges that she aided and abetted Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, also known as “Ghana Jollof”, who is currently outside the country, in publishing and disseminating false information on TikTok.
According to reports from the court proceedings, the prosecution told the court that Madam Bafoh acted as a liaison for Ms Kodua and assisted in disseminating videos through social media platforms. The court subsequently remanded her into police custody after the prosecution said investigations were ongoing and cited national security concerns.
However, in a statement issued by the NPP said it was concerned about what it described as a change in the prosecution’s case.
The party said when Madam Bafoh was first brought before the court on September 16, the prosecution reportedly alleged that she was connected to the “Ghana Jollof” social media account and was being investigated over an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
It said the following day, however, the prosecution presented a different allegation involving the abetment of publication of false news.
The NPP argued that the change raised questions about the basis for her continued detention.
“Pre-trial detention must not become a substitute for investigation or punishment before conviction,” the party said, while citing Section 96 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), which it said requires bail conditions to be reasonable.
The party also questioned the territorial jurisdiction of the Adenta Circuit Court, given that Madam Bafoh resides in Techiman.
It said the prosecution should establish the specific act allegedly constituting the offence that occurred within the jurisdiction of the Adenta court.
The NPP further expressed concern about what it described as an emerging pattern of politically sensitive cases involving social media commentators and critics of the government being brought before the same court.
It stressed, however, that it respected the constitutional independence of the Judiciary, but said judicial independence must be accompanied by impartiality, fairness and adherence to due process.
The party also raised questions about an alleged statement attributed to the Chief Justice, His Lordship Baffoe Bonnie, referring to an agenda of the “old man”, which the NPP claimed was a reference to President John Mahama.
It consequently questioned whether the Adenta Circuit Court was being used by the prosecution, in concert with the Chief Justice, to advance such an agenda.
The NPP called for an immediate review of Madam Bafoh’s continued detention and her admission to reasonable bail.
It also urged the prosecution to establish the legal and territorial basis for the charge before the Adenta Circuit Court and called for full respect for her constitutional rights, including personal liberty, the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.
The party further called on the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council to take note of concerns surrounding the handling of politically sensitive cases before the Adenta Circuit Court.
It urged the government and security agencies not to use the criminal justice system to intimidate or silence citizens who criticise those in power.
The NPP said Ghana’s democracy could not be sustained if the justice system was perceived as an instrument for punishing dissent.
The court has reportedly adjourned the case to September 30, 2026.
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