Richard Asare Baffour, Legal counsel for Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has expressed strong disappointment over the reasoning behind the 15-year custodial sentence handed to his client by the Circuit Court in Accra.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Friday, July 4, Nana Agradaa’s lawyer, Mr. Baffour, said that while they acknowledge the court’s decision could have gone either way, they were deeply troubled by the legal reasoning that preceded the conviction.
According to him, the accused was initially facing five charges, two of which the court ruled had no evidence to support, leading to her acquittal on those counts. However, he questioned why the court ordered Nana Agradaa to open her defence when, by its own admission, there was insufficient evidence on record for some of the charges.
“We were extremely disappointed—not because of the final decision, as that could have gone either way—but because of the reasoning of the court,” Mr. Baffour stated.
“What people tend not to pay attention is that she was charged with five counts of offence and she was acquitted and discharged. Anyone who has had something to do with criminal prosecution will know that before an accused person will be made to open her defence, that means some form of evidences have been made. But when prosecution close its case, it made it clear that in respect of count 4 and count 5, there is no evidence on record to warrant us opening our defence.”
Mr. Baffour suggested that the order to open a defence, despite the absence of evidence on some charges, points to a “predetermined” agenda, questioning whether the court was seeking to incriminate the accused rather than relying purely on the merits of the prosecution’s case.
“So if after the case, you now come back and tell us that you have acquitted and discharged the accused, you think that no evidence was left, because at the time that you gave that order, you have no basis in law in giving us the order to open our defence. And also, it is also an indicative of a predetermined manner. What was the reason? Why would you order an accused person to open a defence when you yourself, you are saying there is no evidence on record? Is it about the expedition just to find evidence or get the accused person incriminated?”
Nana Agradaa was convicted on Thursday, July 3, for defrauding by false pretences and charlatanic advertisement.
The court, presided over by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah, imposed a 15-year sentence with hard labour, noting the offences were premeditated and executed without remorse.
The prosecution argued that Nana Agradaa, founder of Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, used false advertisements to lure congregants to an all-night service, where she promised to double their money but failed to deliver, leaving victims stranded.
Mr. Baffour maintained that his client deserved a non-custodial sentence, considering her status as a mother of five and her cooperation with the legal process.
He also criticised what he described as inconsistencies in the court’s approach to the trial.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
