The High Court in Amasaman has refused the bail application of controversial evangelist Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, widely known as Nana Agradaa, pending the outcome of her appeal against a 15-year prison sentence.
✍️ Court Rejects Bail Pending Appeal
Speaking to Citi FM, Agradaa’s lawyer, Bernard Kofi Asamoah, confirmed that the bail application was denied on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
“We wanted bail pending appeal, and the court did not grant it,” he stated. “However, the court has ordered the Circuit Court to provide all documents relevant to the appeal. We will continue the appeal process.”
⚖️ Background to Agradaa’s 15-Year Conviction
On July 3, 2025, the Accra Circuit Court convicted Agradaa on two counts of defrauding by false pretence and one count of charlatanic advertisement, following a widely publicized money-doubling scheme aired on her Today-TV channel in 2022.
She was accused of deceiving followers by claiming to possess spiritual powers to double money, leading many to send her large sums in hopes of miraculous financial returns.
Presiding Judge Evelyn Asamoah sentenced her to 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, describing the scheme as a “sophisticated and deliberate fraud”.
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📝 Appeal in Motion
Agradaa’s legal team filed a notice of appeal on July 7, seeking to overturn both the conviction and sentence. They argue that:
The judgment lacked sufficient evidence.
The trial judge demonstrated judicial bias.
The sentence was harsh and excessive given the nature of the offence.
Despite the High Court’s decision to deny bail pending the appeal, Mr. Asamoah emphasized their determination to exhaust all legal options available to seek justice.
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“We are confident in the appeal process and will pursue all remedies in the law,” he noted.
🔍 Public Reaction and Legal Implications
The case has sparked widespread public debate over the role of religious fraud, the abuse of charlatanism in the media, and the effectiveness of Ghana’s legal system in curbing financial deception under the guise of spirituality.
Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) criminalizes obtaining money by false pretence and charlatanic advertisements, offenses that have become increasingly scrutinized amid rising cases of spiritual scams.
