By Joyce Danso
Accra, July 3, GNA – Patricia Asiedua, also known as Nana Agradaa, founder of Heaven Way Champions International Ministry, has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on charges of fraud and engaging in charlatanic advertisements.
This was after the court, presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah, found her guilty on three charges; engaging in charlatanic advertisements, and two counts of defrauding by false pretences.
The sentence was given after Agradaa was asked to undergo a pregnancy test.
On the charge of engaging in charlatanic advertisements, Agradaa, aka Evangelist Mama Pat, was sentenced to a fine of GHC300 and in default 30 days imprisonment.
On the two counts of defrauding by false pretences, she was ordered to serve 15 years’ imprisonment on each count. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Two other charges were dismissed by the court.
The trial judge noted that the accused person had not shown any remorse during the trial, while consideration was given to the prevalence of the offences.
Defence counsels told journalists that they would file an appeal by Monday against the sentence, which they described as too harsh.
Mr Richard Asare Baffour, one of Agradaa’s lawyers, earlier prayed the court to tamper with mercy, and admit the accused to a non-custodial sentence, as she was a mother of five.
According to counsel, imposing a custodial sentence on Agradaa would result in an untold hardship on the children.
Mr Baffour said Agradaa had been present throughout the trial, which showed that she stayed away from all the allegations.
Defence counsel drew the attention of the court to the fact that the first charge of engaging in charlatanic advertisements was a misdemeanour.
Again defecnce Counsel said Agradaa was a leader of a large congregation whom many people looked up to.
It said Agradaa was a first- time offender and the three-year period of the trial was enough punishment for her.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Haligah told the court of the upsurge in charlatanic advertisements on air and the effects on victims.
He said Agradaa had not shown remorse despite a previous conviction by another Circuit Court in 2021.
According to ASP Haligah, Agradaa was sentenced to pay a fine of GHC10,000, and in default serve nine months in prison.
He, therefore, prayed the court to hand down a deterrent sentence on her to deter other likeminded persons.
The facts before the court are that on October 10, 2022, complainants reported to the Police that Agradaa demanded and received various sums of money from them under the pretext of giving them various sums of money in return.
The police, on receipt of the information, commenced investigations, which led to the arrest of Agradaa, the fetish priestess turned evangelist.
According to prosecution, investigations established that on October 5, 2022, Agradaa advertised on Today’s TV and other social media platforms that she was organising an all-night service on October 7, at Heaven Way Champions International Ministry.
At the all-night, she said the was going to share GHc300,000 to all participants who needed money for business or to pay rent.
Prosecution said Agradaa displayed the bundles of money during the advert and encouraged the public to attend the service to get their share.
Based on the advertisements, complainants and other members of the public came from far and near for the all-night service.
ASP Haligah said during the service, Agradaa directed the congregation to form groups of 20 members and each member was to pay monies starting from GHC1,000 and and above.
Agradaa informed the groups that some groups would be given GHC50,000 to share while other groups would receive GHC40,000, and GHC25,000.
Prosecution said some of the groups gave Agradaa 25,000 cedis while other people parted with various sums of money.
Agradaa, after obtaining those monies, failed to fulfill her promise, resulting in the complainants getting stranded at the church premises, prosecution said.
Investigations revealed that Agradaa undertook the charlatanic advertisements with intent to defraud the unsuspecting complainants.
The court heard that Agradaa “admitted the complainant’s assertion as correct.”
GNA
Agnes Boye-Doe