Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, formerly a traditional priestess and now an evangelist, widely recognized as Nana Agradaa, has received a 15-year prison sentence from the Circuit Court in Accra.
This sentence is a result of her conviction for fraudulent advertising and defrauding by pretence.
Nana Agradaa was adjudged guilty of enticing victims through a televised broadcast in 2022, during which Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah of Circuit Court 10 imposed a sentence of 15 years in prison on evangelist Patricia Asiedua, who is widely recognized as Nana Agradaa, for two counts of defrauding by pretence. Additionally, she has been fined 25 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢300, for the offense of charlatanic advertisement. Should she fail to pay the fine, she will serve an additional 30 days in prison.
The sentencing occurred after her attorney, Richard Asare Baffour, made a plea for leniency, requesting the court to exercise mercy in its judgment.
Patricia Asiedua, who has styled herself as an evangelist, has encountered legal issues since 2022 after she distanced herself from her previous identity as a spiritualist known for endorsing the controversial “Sika Gari” money-doubling ritual. Her actions had already attracted the scrutiny of authorities in 2021, when National Security operatives conducted a raid on her Thunder TV station for operating without a license and disseminating charlatanic content.
In June 2021, she was convicted on two charges—operating a television station without a license and publishing charlatanic material—and was fined GH¢10,000.
Following her conviction, Asiedua shifted her focus to Christian evangelism, founding the Heaven Way Champion International Ministry. However, on October 5, 2022, she again garnered media attention after promoting on Today TV her purported ability to double money for participants of an all-night church service. She was arrested on October 9, 2022, after receiving complaints from individuals who alleged they had been defrauded in response to the advertisement.
After nearly three years of legal proceedings, she was found guilty on July 3, 2025.
Before the sentencing, the court, in accordance with the Criminal Offences Procedure Act (Act 30), mandated a pregnancy test, which cleared the way for the final judgment.
In his mitigation, Baffour characterized his client as a mother of five, emphasizing the significant impact her imprisonment would have on her children—especially her eldest, a 24-year-old law student, and her youngest, who is merely three years old She falsely asserted that she had spiritual abilities to double money.
Her assertions caused numerous individuals to relinquish substantial amounts of money, all in anticipation of miraculous financial gains — promises that ultimately went unfulfilled.
The court’s decision represents a crucial advancement in the battle against fraudulent spiritual practices and misleading religious activities.
Before the sentencing, the court mandated a pregnancy test, adhering to judicial protocols, which confirmed that she was not pregnant — thus allowing the sentencing to proceed.
“We respectfully approach your mercy seat and, kneeling, beseech you to temper justice with mercy,” Baffour implored. “A custodial sentence could destroy the aspirations of this young woman who aspires to become a lawyer… The youngest child is merely three years old and will require her mother’s care and attention.”
He contended that Asiedua had expressed remorse, adhered to court decorum throughout the proceedings, and distanced herself from her contentious past. He also pointed out that one of the charges was a misdemeanour, which allows for the possibility of a non-custodial sentence, such as a fine.
“She is a first-time offender,” he asserted. “We genuinely believe that her involvement in this trial over the past three years constitutes sufficient punishment.”
Nevertheless, lead prosecutor ASP Emmanuel Haligah refuted this assertion, highlighting that Nana Agradaa had previously been convicted in 2021 for a similar offense and fined GH¢10,000.
“This is not a first-time offense,” Haligah emphasized. “There was evident premeditation. We are witnessing an increase in these fraudulent advertisements on our airwaves, and a severe sentence is essential to deter others.”
He further stated that Asiedua’s repeated offenses indicated a lack of genuine remorse and argued that a stringent punishment was necessary to convey “a clear message” to others contemplating similar actions.
In rendering her judgment, Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah recognized both arguments but ultimately favored the prosecution, determining that the offenses were intentional and devoid of true remorse.
Regarding the charge of deceptive advertisement, she levied a fine of 25 penalty units (GH¢300). For the two counts of defrauding by false pretences, she sentenced Asiedua to 15 years’ imprisonment for each count, to be served concurrently.
