The Amasaman High Court has slashed controversial evangelist Nana Agradaa’s 15-year jail term to just 12 months, deeming the original sentence excessively harsh.
This ruling, delivered on February 5, 2026, upholds her conviction but prioritises sentencing proportionality.
Case Background
Nana Agradaa, real name Patricia Asiedu Asiamah, was convicted by an Accra Circuit Court on July 3, 2025, for charlatanic advertising and defrauding by false pretences. The charges arose from a 2022 televised church event where she promised to share GH¢300,000 with the needy but collected money from attendees without fulfilling it. Two victims each lost GH¢500, totalling GH¢1,000, leading to 15-year concurrent sentences.
Appeal Grounds
Agradaa appealed the sentence’s severity, not the conviction, arguing it was disproportionate. Her lawyers highlighted her role as a mother, inconsistencies in prosecution evidence and begged for leniency to avoid impacting her children. The High Court, under Justice Solomon Oppong-Twumasi, reviewed these factors on December 4, 2025, and beyond.
Court’s Key Reasoning
Justice Oppong-Twumasi ruled the 15-year term “unusually harsh and excessive”, as the trial court fixated on Agradaa’s personality rather than case specifics like the limited victims and small amount defrauded. The judge noted sentencing must be corrective, not vindictive, and criticised the trial court for ignoring prosecution inconsistencies while scrutinising the defence. Proportionality to the offence’s gravity—despite its seriousness—was emphasised, without excusing the crime.
New Sentence Details
The 12-month term backdates to July 3, 2025, leaving Agradaa with about five months remaining after six months served. An additional GH¢2,400 fine was imposed; default adds three months imprisonment. This reflects judicial discretion to correct disproportionate punishment while maintaining accountability.