Richard Asare Baffour, legal counsel for former traditional priestess turned evangelist, Patricia Asiedua Asiamah—popularly known as Nana Agradaa—has described the 15-year prison sentence handed to his client as harsh and disproportionate to the offence.
Nana Agradaa was convicted by the Circuit Court in Accra on Thursday, July 3, on charges of charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretence.
But speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Friday, July 4, her lawyer expressed shock over the length of the custodial sentence, arguing that the amount allegedly involved—GH¢540—did not merit such punishment.
“Should somebody dupe, let’s say somebody GH¢1 million, or defraud somebody 1 million cedis, you expect a higher punishment. But if the amount involved is 540 cedis, honestly speaking, do you believe that a Agradaa would defraud somebody in the sum of 540 cedis? Even if it is true at all, it doesn’t warrant the imposition of that sentence, 15 years for 540 cedis,” Mr. Baffour said.
He further claimed that public sentiment, even among her critics, was against such a harsh sentence, insisting that his client’s controversial social media conduct should not have influenced the outcome.
The court, presided over by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah, sentenced her to 15 years in prison with hard labour and a GH¢300 fine.
The court found that Nana Agradaa, founder of Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, advertised a money-doubling scheme on television and social media, luring members of the public to her Weija church with the promise of sharing GH¢300,000.
Attendees were required to pay various sums of money to qualify, but after collecting the funds, she failed to fulfil her promise.
Prosecutors said the offence was premeditated and pointed to her previous conviction in 2021 for similar acts. The court also noted that she showed no remorse during the trial.
Mr. Baffour maintained that the sentence failed to reflect principles of fairness and discretion, and suggested that the court should have considered her role as a mother of five and opted for a non-custodial sentence.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
