The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticised the decision by the Adenta Circuit Court to remand principal nursing officer and mother of three, Salomey Awiti Bafoh, for another two weeks.
In a statement, the party said Madam Bafoh was arrested in Techiman and brought to Accra after allegedly being held incommunicado for several days.
According to the NPP, when she appeared before the court on September 16, the prosecution alleged that she was linked to the “Ghana Jollof” social media account and was being investigated over an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
The party said the prosecution subsequently presented a different charge of abetment of publication of false news under sections 20(1) and 208 of Act 29.
It argued that the change in the allegations raises questions about the basis for her continued detention.
The NPP also questioned the territorial jurisdiction of the Adenta Circuit Court, given that Madam Bafoh resides in Techiman.
The party further expressed concern over what it described as an emerging pattern involving politically sensitive cases brought before the court.
It called for a review of Madam Bafoh’s detention and her admission to reasonable bail, while urging the prosecution to establish the legal and territorial basis for the charge.
The NPP also called on the Chief Justice and 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 to respect citizens’ constitutional rights and refrain from using the criminal justice system to intimidate or silence critics.
The party said Ghana’s democracy cannot be sustained if the justice system is perceived as an instrument for punishing dissent.
