Patricia Asiedu Asiamah, the self-styled traditionalist turned evangelist popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has had her 15-year prison sentence reduced to 12 months by the Amasaman High Court. The ruling, delivered by Justice Solomon Oppong-Twumasi, followed an appeal in which Agradaa argued that the sentence handed down by the Accra Circuit Court was unduly harsh and excessive.
“Taking all the circumstances of the case into account, I reached the firm conclusion that the 15-year custodial sentence imposed on the appellant was unusually severe and disproportionate,” Justice Oppong-Twumasi stated. According to the court’s order, the reduced 12-month sentence will be effective from July 3, 2025, the date of Agradaa’s conviction by the Circuit Court. In addition, the High Court imposed a fine of GH¢2,400, with a default clause stipulating an extra three months’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid
Sentence
In July 2025, Nana Agradaa was handed a 15-year prison sentence on each of two counts of defrauding by false pretence, with the Circuit Court ordering that the terms be served concurrently. The conviction arose from a 2022 televised church service in which she announced her intention to distribute GH¢300,000 to the needy, but instead collected money from congregants without fulfilling her promise
Excessive sentence
Delivering judgment on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Justice Oppong-Twumasi ruled that the sentence imposed on Agradaa was unduly harsh and excessive. The High Court observed that the Circuit Court failed to properly weigh the circumstances of the case, focusing instead on the personality of the accused in determining the punishment.
“The trial judge did not adequately assess the gravity of the offence but rather fixated on the individual involved when imposing the sentence on the appellant,” the court stated. Providing further details, the High Court noted that trial records showed two complainants, each of whom lost GH¢500, amounting to a total of GH¢1,000 in the fraud committed by Agradaa.
“The court is not by any stretch of imagination to be understood to be saying that because there were only two victims of the Appellant’s conduct or because the amount involved was only GH¢1,000, the Appellant did not commit any crime nor is it also to be understood to be saying that because of the rather small amount of money, the victims did not suffer any losses at all,” the court added.
Unfair treatment
The High Court further noted that the trial Circuit Court had acted unfairly toward the appellant, Nana Agradaa, by failing to acknowledge inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. “There were indeed discrepancies in the evidence presented by both parties, yet, curiously, the trial judge chose to highlight only the inconsistencies in the appellant’s testimony while making no reference whatsoever to those in the prosecution’s evidence,” the court observed.
Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh
