Lawyers representing convicted self-acclaimed prophetess, Nana Agradaa, have filed an appeal challenging her conviction and 15 year sentence.
The legal team argued that the judgment is unreasonable and cannot be supported by the evidence on record, rendering the entire trial flawed in law.
The appeal processes filed on Monday, July 7 is premised on grounds that, the trial judge erred in law by shifting the burden of proof to the petitioner, requiring her to prove her innocence despite insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.
This, the lawyers argued, is contrary to Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution.
The lawyers also accuse the trial judge of demonstrating manifest bias and personal animosity towards Nana Agradaa, citing persistent confrontations, harassment, and intimidation of her lawyers in open court.
This, they claim, denied their client adequate and effective representation.
Furthermore, the defense team argued that the 15-year prison sentence is harsh and excessive, considering the circumstances of the case.
They are seeking to have the conviction and sentence set aside.
The appeal also leaves room for additional grounds to be filed upon receipt of the judgment.
Background
On July 3, 2925, the founder of Godsway International Church, Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, was sentenced to 15 years in jail with hard labor for defrauding by false pretenses.
The Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honor Evelyn Asamoah, found her guilty on three counts of charlatanic advertisement and two counts of defrauding by false pretenses.
Nana Agradaa was sentenced to a fine of 25 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢300. In default, she would serve 30 days in prison.
She was sentenced to 15 years in hard labour for two counts of defrauding by false pretenses. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The court said it took into consideration the fact that the offenses were premeditated and executed, and that the law must apply in a way that serves as a deterrent.
The court also noted that Nana Agradaa showed no remorse throughout the pendency of the case, which led to the imposition of a custodial sentence.
Nana Agradaa was found guilty of advertising a money-doubling scam, duping church members into giving her money for an all-night service at her Weija church in Accra.
A pregnancy test was conducted on her before sentencing, which turned out negative.
Mitigation Plea:
Counsel for Nana Agradaa, Richard Asare Baffour, pleaded for mercy, citing her role as a mother of five, including a 24-year-old university student and a three-year-old child.
He urged the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, emphasizing that Nana Agradaa had been present in court throughout the trial and had shown remorse.
Aggravating Factors:
The prosecution, led by ASP Emmanuel Haligah, highlighted aggravating factors, including premeditation, the prevalence of charlatanic advertisements, and the impact on victims.
He noted that Nana Agradaa was not a first-time offender, having been convicted of a similar offense in 2021, and urged the court to impose a sentence that would serve as a deterrent to others.
Brief Facts:
According to the brief facts of the case, the accused, Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, is the founder of Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, Weija, and resides at Weija, Accra.
On October 10, 2022, the complainants reported to the police that the accused demanded and received sums of money from them under the pretext of giving them various sums of money in return.
Investigations established that on October 5, 2022, the accused advertised on Today’s TV and other social media platforms that she was organizing an all-night service on October 7, 2022, at Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, where she would share an amount of GH¢300,000.00 with all participants who needed money to fund their business or pay rent.
The accused displayed bundles of money during the advertisement and encouraged members of the public to attend the service for a share of the money.
Due to the false representation made in the advertisements, complainants and other members of the public attended the all-night service, where they were directed to form groups and pay various sums of money.
The accused promised to give each group a specific amount of money, but after obtaining the money, she failed to fulfill her promise and left the complainants stranded.
Further investigations established that the accused undertook the charlatanic advertisement with the intent to defraud unsuspecting complainants.
The accused admitted to the allegations during interrogations, leading to her arraignment before the court.
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