Evangelist Patricia Asiedua Asiamah
An attempt by convicted self-styled Evangelist, Patricia Asiedua Asiamah aka Nana Agradaa to seek a temporary relief from her 15-year jail term, was swiftly refused by a High Court in Amasaman which dismissed her application for bail pending appeal.
Lawyers for the fetish priestess turned preacher had filed the application before the court, urging it to grant her bail while she pursues an appeal against the decision of a Circuit Court which sentenced her to jail to 15 years in hard labour for defrauding by false pretences.
The bail application was heavily opposed by the Office of the Attorney General, and the court presided over by Justice Richard Osei after listening to arguments from her legal team and the prosecution, denied the application.
Agradaa, who was wearing a long black skirt, a white long sleeve and a white scarf, was hurriedly escorted into a waiting Ghana Prison Service pickup vehicle by her husband, Eric Oduro Asiamah and prison officers, right after exiting the courtroom.
A large crowd had gathered at the court premises to catch a glimpse of the ‘Sika Gari’ televangelist whose husband has indicated that she was on a mission to win more souls for God in prison, few days after her conviction and sentencing.
Nana Agradaa, a fetish priest turned pastor was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by a Circuit Court in Accra on July 3, 2025, 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.
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 for the offence.
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 againt 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.”
Public Discourse
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.
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 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.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak