Nana Agradaa
The woes of convicted self-styled Evangelist, Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, have deepened as a High Court in Accra has ordered her to open defence in a case in which she is accused of allegedly broadcasting and sharing nude images of a fellow pastor.
This was after the court dismissed a submission of no case filed on her behalf, holding that a prima facie case had been made against her to warrant a defence.
Nana Agradaa, a fetish priest turned pastor, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by a Circuit Court in Accra last Thursday for defrauding by false pretences. She was further fined GH¢300 for charlatanic advertisement and in default will face additional 30 days jail term.
This stems from charges brought against her in 2022 for defrauding some members of the public after she successfully deceived them that she was going to share GH¢300,000 during an all-night service at Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, a church she founded.
Appeal
Her lawyer, Richard Asare Baffour has filed a notice of appeal against the 15-year jail term at the High Court, arguing that the judgement of the Circuit Court which resulted in her conviction and sentencing is unreasonable and cannot be supported by the evidence on record, and ought to be set aside.
Agradaa is also contesting that the entire trial mounted against her was wrong in law and that, the trial judge, Evelyn Asamoah, denied her fair trial by calling her to prove her innocence when the prosecution had led no or insufficient evidence against her.
She further avers that “the trial judge demonstrated manifest bias and personal animosity towards the petitioner by persistently engaging in confrontations, harassment, and intimidation of the accused’s lawyers in open court, thereby denying her adequate and effective representation.”
The notice of appeal also adds that the sentence of 15 years in hard labour “is harsh and excessive, taking into consideration the circumstance of the case.”
The sentence and jail term has generated debate, with some calling it excessive while others say it is fair and serves as deterrent to others with similar intent.
The court’s decision has nonetheless set a precedent to those who may hide behind spiritual predictions and promises to dupe others.
Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah found that Agradaa’s actions were calculated, while highlighting the need to set deterrent to others.
This is not the first time Nana Agradaa has been found guilty of charlatanic advertisement. In October 2022, a Circuit Court in Accra fined her an amount of GH¢36,000.
Court documents indicate that Agradaa had advertised on her television channel that she had powers to double money, and this attracted hundreds of desperate Ghanaians from all walks of life to her church looking for a quick cashout.
It turned out that it was just a ruse to deceive unsuspecting individuals who made their way to the so-called church service.
Those who attended the service, including the complainants in the matter, were divided into groups and were made to contribute various sums of monies with the promise that they would be given multiples of what they contributed.
The complainants who were convinced, did contribute various amounts of money which Agradaa took but failed to honour her promise.
At the end of the church service, the complainants were left stranded while Nana Agradaa walked away with her booty.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak