The High Court in Amasaman has provided timelines for lawyers of convicted self-acclaimed prophetess, Patricia Asiedua, affectionately called Nana Agradaa, and State Prosecutors to file their respective written submissions in the case in which she is challenging her conviction and 15-year sentence.
Her lawyers have been asked to file their written submissions by December 18, this year while the Prosecution is to file its written submissions by January 19.
The parties are then asked to reappear before the Court for the Court to fix a date for its judgment on the appeal if all things are equal.
In Court on Thursday, December 4, lawyers of the convict furnished the prosecution with further processes, including a pen-drive that contained further exhibits.
The parties are content and have concluded the exchanges of the processes before the Court presided over by Justice Solomon Oppong Twum.
The convict (Appellant), Nana Agradaa was present in Court.
On July 3, 2025, the founder of Godsway International Church, Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, was sentenced to 15 years in jail with hard labour for defrauding by false pretence.
She disagreed with her conviction and sentence. Through her lawyers, she filed an appeal on July 7, which was premised on the grounds that the trial judge erred in law by shifting the burden of proof to the petitioner, requiring her to prove her innocence despite insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.
This, the lawyers argued, is contrary to Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution.
The lawyers also accused the trial judge of demonstrating manifest bias and personal animosity towards Nana Agradaa, citing persistent confrontations, harassment, and intimidation of her lawyers in open court.
This, they claim, denied their client adequate and effective representation. Furthermore, the defense team argued that the 15-year prison sentence is harsh and excessive, considering the circumstances of the case.
They are seeking to have the conviction and sentence set aside. The appeal also leaves room for additional grounds to be filed upon receipt of the judgment.
Background
On July 3, 2025, the founder of Godsway International Church, Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, was sentenced to 15 years in jail with hard labor for defrauding by false pretence.
The Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah, found her guilty on three counts of charlatanic advertisement and two counts of defrauding by false pretence.
She was sentenced to a fine of 25 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢300. In default, she would serve 30 days in prison.
She was sentenced to 15 years in hard labour for two counts of defrauding by false pretenses.
However, the sentences are to run concurrently.
The court said it took into consideration the fact that the offenses were premeditated and executed, and that the law must apply in a way that serves as a deterrent.
The court also noted that Nana Agradaa showed no remorse throughout the pendency of the case, which led to the imposition of a custodial sentence.
Nana Agradaa was found guilty of advertising a money-doubling scam, duping church members into giving her money for an all-night service at her Weija church in Accra.
A pregnancy test was conducted on her before sentencing, which turned out negative.
Brief Facts
According to the brief facts of the case, the accused, Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, is the founder of Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, Weija, and resides at Weija, Accra.
On October 10, 2022, the complainants reported to the police that the accused demanded and received sums of money from them under the pretext of giving them various sums of money in return.
Investigations established that on October 5, 2022, the accused advertised on Today’s TV and other social media platforms that she was organizing an all-night service on October 7, 2022, at Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, where she would share an amount of GH¢300,000.00 with all participants who needed money to fund their business or pay rent.
The accused displayed bundles of money during the advertisement and encouraged members of the public to attend the service for a share of the money.
Due to the false representation made in the advertisements, complainants and other members of the public attended the all-night service, where they were directed to form groups and pay various sums of money.
The accused promised to give each group a Ubspecific amount of money, but after obtaining the money, she failed to fulfill her promise and left the complainants stranded.
Further investigations established that the accused undertook the charlatanic advertisement with the intent to defraud unsuspecting complainants.
The accused admitted to the allegations during interrogations, leading to her arraignment before the court.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
