Judge cites deliberate fraud and need for deterrence in Agradaa’s 15-year sentence
Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah of Circuit Court 10 has sentenced evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, to 15 years in prison for two counts of defrauding by false pretenses. In addition, she was fined 25 penalty units, amounting to GH¢300, for the offence of charlatanic advertisement. In default of payment, she will serve 30 days in prison.
The sentencing followed a plea for leniency from her lawyer, Richard Asare Baffour, who urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
Patricia Asiedua, a self-styled evangelist, has faced legal troubles since 2022 after renouncing her past as a spiritualist known for promoting the controversial “Sika Gari” money-doubling ritual. Her activities had already drawn the attention of authorities in 2021, when National Security operatives raided her Thunder TV station for operating without a license and broadcasting charlatanic content.
In June 2021, she was convicted on two counts—operating a TV station without a license and publishing charlatanic material—and fined GH¢10,000.
Following her conviction, Asiedua transitioned into Christian evangelism, establishing the Heaven Way Champion International Ministry. However, on October 5, 2022, she once again made headlines after advertising on Today TV her alleged ability to double money for attendees of an all-night church service. She was arrested on October 9, 2022, following complaints from individuals who claimed to have been defrauded after responding to the advert.
After nearly three years of legal proceedings, she was found guilty on July 3, 2025.
Prior to sentencing, the court, in accordance with the Criminal Offences Procedure Act (Act 30), ordered a pregnancy test, clearing the way for final judgment.
In his mitigation, Baffour described his client as a mother of five, stressing the profound impact her incarceration would have on her children—particularly her eldest, a 24-year-old law student, and her youngest, just three years old.
“We humbly approach your mercy seat and, on bended knees, pray that you temper justice with mercy,” Baffour appealed. “A custodial sentence may shatter the dream of this young lady who wants to be a lawyer… The last born is just three years old and will need the care and attention of her mother.”
He argued that Asiedua had shown remorse, respected the court throughout the proceedings, and distanced herself from her controversial past. He also noted that one of the charges was a misdemeanor, leaving room for a non-custodial sentence such as a fine.
“She is a first-time offender,” he claimed. “We honestly believe that participating in this trial for the past three years is punishment enough.”
However, lead prosecutor ASP Emmanuel Haligah countered that claim, noting that Nana Agradaa had already been convicted in 2021 for a similar offence and fined GH¢10,000.
“This is not a first-time offence,” Haligah asserted. “There was clear premeditation. We’re seeing a rise in these fraudulent advertisements on our airwaves, and a strong sentence is necessary to deter others.”
He added that Asiedua’s repeated offences demonstrated a lack of remorse and argued that a stiff punishment was necessary to send “a clear message” to others considering similar acts.
In delivering her judgment, Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah acknowledged both sides but ultimately sided with the prosecution, finding the offences to be deliberate and lacking in genuine remorse.
On the charge of charlatanic advertisement, she imposed a fine of 25 penalty units (GH¢300). For the two counts of defrauding by false pretenses, she sentenced Asiedua to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.
