Proceedings at the Accra High Court took an unexpected turn on Wednesday after lawyers for Salomey Baffoe disclosed that lead counsel Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah had reportedly been invited by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The development created confusion at the court as the lawyer was appearing for Ms Baffoe in her bail application arising from a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news, linked to the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
The reason for the reported EOCO invitation was not immediately clear.
A video obtained by Adomonline.com showed Nana Baffour Awuah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, in a heated confrontation with a woman identified as an EOCO official.
The woman had reportedly blocked the lawyer’s vehicle. In the footage, Nana Baffour Awuah is seen pushing her aside before getting into his vehicle and driving away.
The reported encounter came on the same day the court was expected to consider Ms Baffoe’s bail application.
However, the bail hearing was adjourned to Thursday, September 24, after the prosecution requested additional time to respond to the application.
The defence opposed the request, arguing that the matter directly concerned Ms Baffoe’s liberty and should therefore be treated with urgency.
The court subsequently directed the prosecution to file and serve its response by 9:00 a.m. ahead of the next hearing.
The unexpected development involving the defence lawyer has since added another layer of uncertainty to the case, with no official explanation immediately available on what prompted the reported EOCO invitation.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has led the defence team since Ms Baffoe’s arrest and has challenged aspects of the allegations against his client.
Ms Baffoe was earlier remanded by the Adentan Circuit Court after pleading not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime, namely publication of false news.
Police allege that she assisted Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, whom they identify as the operator of the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account, in distributing online content and recruiting others to circulate the material.
The defence has rejected the allegations and is seeking bail for Ms Baffoe as the legal process continues.
