The legal team representing Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, widely known as Nana Agradaa, has filed a formal notice of appeal challenging her recent conviction and 15-year prison sentence handed down by the Circuit Court.
On July 3, Nana Agradaa, a former traditional priestess-turned-evangelist, was found guilty by Justice Evelyn Asamoah on charges of defrauding by false pretence and charlatanic advertisement.
However, her lawyers contend that the ruling was flawed and that their client was denied a fair trial. The lead counsel Richard Asare Baffour announced that they had petitioned the High Court to overturn both the conviction and the sentencing.
“We filed the appeal this morning because we believe the judgment is completely unreasonable. The evidence presented during trial does not support the verdict,” Asare Baffour stated.
He further claimed the trial process was marred by legal irregularities, alleging that the presiding judge exhibited “manifest bias” and treated the accused unfairly.
Bail Application to Follow
Asare Baffour also disclosed that the defense intends to file a bail application in the coming days to seek Nana Agradaa’s temporary release while the appeal is being considered.
“Our position is that the trial was fundamentally flawed in law, and we are determined to ensure that justice is done through the appellate process,” he added.
Background
Nana Agradaa, who rose to fame through her controversial spiritual practices before converting to Christianity, has faced multiple legal battles in recent years. Her most recent conviction stems from allegations that she defrauded followers under the guise of religious and financial promises.
Before her conversion to Christianity, Patricia Asiedua gained national attention under the moniker Nana Agradaa, a self-proclaimed spiritualist and traditional priestess. She operated the “Thunder TV” network, where she frequently advertised her now-notorious “Sika Gari” ritual — a money-doubling scheme that promised instant wealth through spiritual intervention.
These practices made her a household name, albeit a controversial one, attracting a large following while simultaneously drawing scrutiny from religious leaders, civil society, and law enforcement agencies.
Initial Run-in with the Law (2021)
Nana Agradaa’s legal issues began to mount in April 2021, when National Security operatives raided her TV station.
She was convicted in June 2021 and fined GH¢10,000, with a warning from authorities that further offenses would not be treated lightly. This marked her first official criminal conviction.
Conversion and Shift to Evangelism
Following her conviction, Nana Agradaa announced that she had “repented,” claiming to have burned her idols and embraced Christianity. She adopted the name Evangelist Patricia Asiedua and founded the Heaven Way Champion International Ministry, with her sermons broadcast on her new platform, Today TV.
Her conversion, however, was met with skepticism by many, who accused her of rebranding without truly abandoning her old practices.
On October 5, 2022, Nana Agradaa again made headlines after airing a promotional video on her new Christian broadcast, Today TV, where she claimed she could “bless” or “double” money for those who attended her all-night service at her church in Weija, Accra.
Scores of attendees later reported that they had been defrauded after giving money during the event with the expectation of receiving a multiplied sum in return. Some individuals claimed to have given as much as GH¢1,000 or more.
Nana Agradaa was arrested on October 9, 2022, following public outcry and multiple complaints lodged with the police. She was charged with defrauding by false pretenses and harlatanic advertisement under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act.
After nearly three years of legal proceedings at Circuit Court 10 in Accra, presided over by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah, Patricia Asiedua was found guilty on July 3, 2025.
Charges and Conviction:
i. 2 counts of defrauding by false pretenses: Convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently
ii. 1 count of charlatanic advertisement: Fined 25 penalty units (GH¢300) or in default, 30 days in prison
