Jema chiefs and residents protest remand of Techiman nurse, demand her release

Tension is growing in Jema in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region as chiefs and residents rally behind 40-year-old nurse Salomey Awiti Bafoh, demanding her release following her arrest and subsequent remand by the Adenta Circuit Court.

The community has mounted pressure on the authorities to intervene, appealing to the government and First Lady Lordina Mahama to help secure bail for the nurse, whom they describe as a responsible and well-respected member of the community.

Chiefs and residents raise alarm

Residents and chiefs of Jema held a press briefing to express their concerns over Bafoh’s arrest and continued detention.

Bafoh, a principal nursing officer, was arrested during a midnight operation on Sunday, September 13, at her residence in Hansua in the Techiman Municipality.

According to her brother, Antwi Francis, three people—two men and a woman—arrived at the residence at about 11:30 p.m., allegedly identifying themselves as National Security operatives.

He claimed that the individuals did not show the family an arrest warrant or explain the grounds for the arrest before taking his sister away.

Community questions why she was arrested

One of the major concerns raised by the residents is what they describe as conflicting explanations surrounding Bafoh’s arrest.

The residents said they initially understood that she had been arrested over allegations involving mobile money fraud.

They subsequently sought legal assistance to intervene.

However, they said they were surprised when the matter eventually came before the court and the case concerned alleged links to the TikTok account known as “Ghana Jollof.”

The residents insisted that Bafoh had no connection with the account or its operator and called for authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding her arrest and prosecution.

Elder appeals: “Release her to us”

Community elder James Kofi Owusu described Bafoh as respectful and well-behaved, saying he had known and helped raise her from a young age.

He appealed to the government and relevant authorities to intervene, arguing that the community was struggling to understand the circumstances surrounding her detention.

The elder also called for bail, assuring authorities that Bafoh would honour any court appearance required of her.

“We need bail. Release her to us, and whenever she is needed in court, she will be present,” he said.

What the Police say

The community’s concerns come as the Police have provided details of their investigation into the case.

According to the prosecution, Bafoh allegedly acted as a liaison for UK-based TikTok user Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof.”

Police allege that Bafoh helped disseminate videos produced by Kodua by recruiting other people to redistribute the content across social media platforms.

The prosecution further alleges that financial transactions were identified between the two women and that money was transferred to Bafoh to support the dissemination of the videos.

Kodua has been declared wanted by the Police and is currently at large.

Nurse pleads not guilty

Bafoh has been charged with abetment of crime, specifically the alleged publication and circulation of false news, under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

She has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Adenta Circuit Court denied her bail after prosecutors argued that investigations were still ongoing and that the case involved national security concerns.

She was remanded into police custody and is expected to reappear before the court on September 30, 2026.

Community demands release

Despite the prosecution’s allegations, the chiefs and residents of Jema maintain that their intervention is not intended to obstruct the judicial process.

Rather, they want Bafoh to be allowed to return to her family and community while the case proceeds.

Their appeal adds to growing calls from other quarters for the nurse’s release or bail. The NPP has also called for a review of her continued detention, while the Member of Parliament for Techiman South, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, has appealed for her release.

For now, the case remains before the court, with the prosecution’s allegations yet to be tested at trial. Bafoh remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.