Following the sentencing of Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, famously known as Nana Agradaa, to 15 years in jail, her lawyers have described the sentence as “too excessive.”
The founder of Heaven Way International Church was sentenced to 15 years with hard labour for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretences on July 3, 2025.
An Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Justice Evelyn Asamoah, passed the judgment after a pregnancy test was conducted on Agradaa.
However, Agradaa’s lawyers argue that the sentence was influenced not by the merits of the case, but by Agradaa’s public image.
Speaking to the media outside the court premises, her lawyers announced plans to file an appeal on Monday, July 7, 2025.
“We will trigger the appeal process on Monday. We believe that the 15-year sentence is too excessive. Even the amount involved is just GH¢540.
How can someone be convicted for 15 years over an alleged fraud of GH¢540?
Agradaa has been jailed not because of what she did, but because of who she is,” they argued.
Her lawyers also rejected suggestions that Agradaa’s courtroom behaviour may have influenced the sentencing, insisting that she had fully cooperated with the legal process.
“From day one, she has always appeared before the court. These sentences are passed simply to appease public sentiment because of who she is, not because of the facts or evidence presented. It shows signs of a premeditated decision,” they stated.
Background
In 2022, Agradaa was arrested following allegations of fraud involving some members of her church.
According to the complaints, Agradaa advertised on her TV station and social media platforms that she could double the money of anyone who attended an all-night church service at her Weija-based church.
During the service, she reportedly asked over 1,000 attendees to hand over their money, promising supernatural returns.
However, the promised “money doubling” never occurred, sparking widespread outrage and prompting several victims to lodge complaints with the police.
Agradaa was subsequently charged with charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretences.
On July 3, 2025, the Accra Circuit Court found her guilty on both counts. Before sentencing, the court ordered a pregnancy test, a routine legal procedure to determine appropriate custodial measures for female convicts. Watch the Video Below:
According to her lawyers, Agradaa’s 15-year jail term is an ‘excessive’ sentence designed to appease the public. They are set to file an appeal on Monday.
Watch the video below:
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