By Nadia Ntiamoah
Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Evangelist Mama Pat or “Nana Agradaa”, has mounted a legal challenge after being sentenced to 15 years in prison for multiple counts of fraud and deceptive advertising.
The self-styled prophetess and founder of the Heaven Way Champion International Ministry has filed an appeal at the Amasaman High Court, challenging both the conviction and the severity of her sentence.
She has also applied for bail pending the outcome of the appeal.
The legal team representing Agradaa argues that the trial that led to her incarceration was fundamentally flawed.
According to her lawyer, the presiding judge exhibited bias and failed to properly weigh mitigating factors during sentencing, despite referencing Ghana’s Sentencing Guidelines.
They contend that these missteps warrant a reconsideration of her conviction and a reduction—or even overturning—of her sentence.
Nana Agradaa was sentenced on July 3, 2025, by an Accra Circuit Court after being found guilty of engaging in charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretences.
The charges stemmed from incidents where she allegedly used televised religious broadcasts to lure congregants and viewers with promises of financial miracles in exchange for cash offerings, only to renege on those promises.
During her trial, the prosecution presented evidence showing that Agradaa used her religious platform to convince unsuspecting followers to hand over large sums of money with the expectation of spiritual returns—an act the court found to be fraudulent and exploitative.
Despite widespread public scrutiny, Agradaa remained defiant during proceedings, maintaining her innocence.
Following her conviction, public reaction was divided.
While some applauded the sentence as a long-overdue consequence for what they described as years of manipulative conduct, others—especially her loyal followers—rallied in her defence, insisting on her innocence and citing her philanthropic efforts.
This is not the first time Agradaa has faced legal trouble.
In 2021, she was arrested for operating two television stations without a license and using them to promote money-doubling schemes.
That incident led to a public “conversion” and rebranding as an evangelist, which many now view as a calculated move to avoid further scrutiny.
The bail application and the appeal now before the Amasaman High Court mark the latest twist in the dramatic saga of one of Ghana’s most controversial religious figures.
Her legal team is confident the appeal will succeed, but until the court rules, Agradaa remains behind bars—her future uncertain, yet still commanding the nation’s attention.
