A Circuit Court in Adenta has charged a 40-year-old nurse, Salomey Awiti Bafoh, with abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication and circulation of false news on social media.
Bafoh, who resides in Techiman, is standing trial alongside Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”, over allegations involving content published and circulated on TikTok.
According to the charge sheet in the case of Republic v. Salomey Awiti Bafoh and Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, Bafoh allegedly acted as a liaison for Asantewaa in the dissemination of content posted on the social media platform.
The charge sheet alleges that Bafoh aided or abetted Asantewaa to “publish and circulate false news on social media specifically TikTok” by serving as her liaison.
She has been charged with abetment of crime, to wit publication of false news, contrary to Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
‘Ghana Jollof’ linked to TikTok videos
The second accused, Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, is described in the court documents as the operator of a TikTok account named “BAK @ Ghana Jollof”.
She is currently domiciled in the United Kingdom.
The prosecution alleges that Asantewaa had, over a period of time, used her social media platform to produce and publish videos containing what investigators described as “offensive and inciting statements” with the potential to provoke violence.
One of the videos under investigation allegedly contained threats to overthrow the Government of Ghana, alongside statements that she would “burn Ghana”, among other claims.
Nurse allegedly recruited others to circulate videos
Investigators subsequently identified Bafoh as an alleged collaborator who assisted in the circulation of the videos.
The brief facts of the case allege that Bafoh recruited other individuals to redistribute the material across various social media platforms.
The police further allege that there was a financial arrangement between the two accused persons.
“Investigations further revealed financial arrangement between the two accused persons whereby the 2nd Accused, while domiciled in the United Kingdom, remitted monies to the 1st Accused in Ghana in support of these activities,” the document states.
According to the prosecution, Bafoh subsequently distributed portions of the money to other individuals allegedly involved in the redistribution and recirculation of the videos.
Police say investigations are continuing to identify and locate other persons suspected of participating in the circulation of the material.
The case is being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Special Investigation Unit (SIU), with Inspector Naomi Aklasu listed as the investigator.
Police declare ‘Ghana Jollof’ wanted
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has declared 40-year-old Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”, wanted.
The Police say they have information suggesting that she may currently be in the United Kingdom and are appealing to the public for information that could assist in tracing and arresting her.
According to the wanted-person notice, Asantewaa was last seen at the Accra International Airport on August 4, 2022.
The Police have urged anyone with information on her whereabouts to assist the ongoing efforts to locate her.
