Lawyer Martin Kpebu has challenged the continued detention of senior nursing officer, Salomey Awity Baffoe, insisting police can probe her phone without locking her up for two weeks.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, September 17, Mr Kpebu said he found no strong basis for the Adenta Circuit Court 1 to remand Baffoe while investigations into her suspected ties to the Ghana Jollof TikTok page — known for attacking government officials — proceed.
“From my experience at the Bar and what I have read, this woman ought not to be held. I really don’t think so,” he stated.
The court on Thursday ordered Baffoe held for a fortnight to allow further inquiries.
Mr Kpebu contended that if officers suspect content linked to Ghana Jollof was circulated via her handset, they could simply impound and analyse the device instead of detaining her.
“Take the phone. Police can then seek a court order to examine it. But you don’t need to keep the person behind bars,” he argued.
He noted the said posts were already in the public domain, so holding Baffoe was unnecessary to confirm what is on the phone.
“What you require are her phones. You don’t need the individual in custody,” he said. The private legal practitioner contrasted the matter with cases where suspects pose a clear danger or where there is solid proof tying them to grave crimes.
He pointed to large narcotics busts or alleged physical assaults as instances where remand could aid investigations.
“But for this kind of matter, from experience, we draw a line between cases,” he explained.
Mr Kpebu backed ongoing police work but maintained incarceration was unwarranted.
“Let the police probe by all means, but remand was not needed,” he added.
