The family of detained senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti Baffoe has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and his wife to intervene in her case, citing the emotional and financial strain her continued detention is placing on her three children.
The family says the children are struggling to cope with their mother’s absence and has called for steps to secure her release as investigations into the so-called Ghana Jollof case continue.
“We need Salome to be at home because her children are crying woefully to see their mother. So we need people’s help to come in to plead on our behalf to release her,” a family member said.
The family described the situation as distressing, saying it had affected their ability to eat, sleep and go about their daily activities.
“We can’t sleep. We can’t eat. We can’t drink because of this matter. We are very desperate that we can’t even describe it now,” the family said.
Ms Baffoe, 40, was denied bail by the High Court in Accra on Thursday, September 24, after being charged with abetment of crime, to wit, the publication of false news.
She has pleaded not guilty to the charge, which is linked to police investigations into the Ghana Jollof TikTok account. Investigators have identified Barbara Asantewaa Kodua as the person operating the account.
The prosecution alleges that Ms Baffoe assisted Ms Kodua in disseminating videos and recruiting others to redistribute the content. Investigators have also alleged that financial transactions took place between the two women.
In opposing bail, prosecutors reportedly argued that Ms Baffoe was still needed for investigations and that her release could potentially interfere with witnesses. The court cited the cyber-related nature of the case and concerns about the ongoing investigations in refusing her application.
Her continued detention has also raised concerns for the family over the education of her children. Her lawyer, Nana Adjei Baffour Awuah, has said one of the children is due to begin Senior High School and that the situation is affecting the child’s education.
The defence has maintained that the prosecution has not established sufficient grounds to justify her continued detention, emphasising her presumption of innocence and describing the charge as a misdemeanour.
Ms Baffoe is expected to remain in custody until at least October 5, when the case is scheduled to resume. The adjournment was attributed to the presiding magistrate’s attendance at a judges and magistrates conference.
Her family continues to appeal to the President and his wife to help secure her release so she can return home to her children while the legal process proceeds.
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