Private legal practitioner, Benjamin Tachie Antiedu, has rejected claims that the 15-year jail term handed to former traditional priestess turned evangelist, Patricia Asiedua Asiamah—popularly known as Nana Agradaa—is excessive.
According to him, considering the gravity of the offence and the legal framework, the judge could have imposed an even harsher punishment but chose to be lenient.
While her legal counsel, Richard Asare Baffour, has described the sentence as excessive and has indicated plans to appeal, Mr. Antiedu believes otherwise.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Friday, July 4, he explained that the judge acted within the legal sentencing guidelines.
He explained “I differ on this point that it’s excessive. If you look at section 131 and the highest level is 25years. But the point is that sentencing is a whole on its own. When a judge gets to that point that you are convicted and the sentencing has to follow, the judge, in our recent legislations, a range it given; the minimum sentencing regime and the upper limit, so the judge will look at the matter and weigh and the theory as why should I punish this person in this instance. The judge may decide that I want to send a strong signal to the society. So if you look at it. it’s within the sentencing regime.”
“So If I’m a judge and I sit and I have this range, if you go out of the range, that’s a problem but if I have 25 years and looking at this thing that is creeping into our social fiber, and we want to stop, then I will say that to that extent, the judge was so lenient,” Mr. Antiedu added.
The founder of Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, Nana Agradaa, was sentenced by the Circuit Court in Accra on Thursday, July 3, after being found guilty of defrauding by false pretence and engaging in charlatanic advertisement.
READ: We were disappointed by the court’s reasoning, not the verdict – Agradaa’s lawyer
According to the facts of the case, Nana Agradaa, through her church and social media platforms, promised to distribute GH¢300,000 at an all-night service at her Weija-based church, urging attendees to pay various sums of money to qualify for a share.
After collecting the money, she failed to fulfill the promise, leaving participants stranded.
Following investigations, it was established that her actions were deliberate and intended to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
She admitted to the offence during police interrogations.
Meanwhile, her lawyer has announced proceeding to court on Monday, July 7 to appeal the verdict.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
