By Vivian Amoah
The Accra Circuit Court has sentenced popular Ghanaian evangelist, Patricia Asiedua, widely known as Nana Agradaa or Evangelist Mama Pat, to 15 years in prison with hard labour for defrauding by false pretenses and engaging in charlatanic advertisement.
The sentencing, delivered on Thursday, July 3, followed months of legal proceedings in which Agradaa was accused of collecting money from members of the public under the false promise of doubling their cash through spiritual means. The court found that Agradaa used her television platform and church services in 2022 to entice hundreds of individuals to bring in large sums of money, assuring them of receiving double the amount, which never materialized.
In delivering the judgment, the presiding judge described Agradaa’s actions as a deliberate scheme to take advantage of the faith and vulnerability of the public for personal financial gain. The judge emphasized that the sentence should serve as a deterrent to others who use religion to exploit unsuspecting Ghanaians.
Before her sentencing, Agradaa underwent a court-ordered pregnancy test, which confirmed that she was not pregnant, clearing the way for the immediate commencement of her sentence.
Meanwhile, her legal team has expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment, describing the sentence as excessive for a first-time offender and indicating plans to file an appeal.
Agradaa, a former fetish priestess who publicly converted to Christianity in 2021, has previously faced legal challenges, including a GH¢46,000 fine for operating unlicensed television stations and promoting charlatanic activities. Her conviction marks a significant stance by the courts in addressing fraudulent activities carried out under the guise of religious practices.
Nana Agradaa will begin serving her 15-year prison term immediately, as her legal team moves to explore the possibility of securing a reduced sentence or bail pending appeal.
