Bernard Okoe Boye calls for apology for nurse Salomey Baffoe over arrest

Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Greater Accra Regional Chairman, has called on authorities to issue an official apology to nurse Salomey Awiti Baffoe following her arrest and detention. Speaking on the news program The Big Issue, Dr. Okoe Boye criticized the handling of the case, which involves charges of abetting the publication of false news. He described the treatment of the nurse as a demonstration of power by state authorities rather than a necessary security measure, emphasizing that such actions threaten individual liberties.

The case against Baffoe is linked to a TikTok account known as "Ghana Jollof," which was accused of spreading false information. Although Baffoe was granted bail on October 5, she remains under restrictive conditions, including a requirement to report to the police twice a week. Dr. Okoe Boye expressed particular concern over the significant delay in the judicial process, noting that the next court hearing is not scheduled until February 2027. He argued that forcing an individual to adhere to police reporting schedules for years before a trial concludes is an undue burden.

In his critique, Dr. Okoe Boye highlighted the need for a more balanced approach to law enforcement that respects the rights of citizens. He suggested that the prolonged legal process and the nature of the detention warranted a formal apology from the state to the healthcare worker. The incident has sparked a broader discussion regarding the use of abetment charges in digital media cases and the efficiency of the Ghanaian legal system in protecting the rights of the accused while pursuing justice.