Convicted Agradaa seeks bail pending appeal

Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, also known as Nana Agradaa, is seeking to secure her release on bail while awaiting the outcome of her appeal against a recent conviction that landed her a 15-year prison sentence with hard labour.

Agradaa, founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry, was convicted on July 3, 2025, for defrauding members of the public and for charlatanic advertisement. Dissatisfied with the outcome, her legal team, led by Richard Asare Baffour, has filed a petition for appeal, arguing that the trial was flawed and the verdict unjust.

With no appeal hearing date yet set, her lawyers moved swiftly on July 9, 2025, to file an application for bail pending appeal. In the supporting documents, they argue that the appeal stands a strong chance of success, citing what they describe as procedural irregularities and judicial bias during the trial.

According to her lawyers, the trial judge misapplied the law by placing the burden of proof on Agradaa rather than on the prosecution. They also criticized the judge’s reliance on the testimony of a Master of Ceremonies featured in a video submitted by the defense, which they say was improperly used to discredit her denial of instructing complainants to switch off the lights during a church event.

Furthermore, they allege that the court failed to properly analyze the video evidence in full context, especially in relation to the lighting issue central to the case. The defense argues that the judge selectively focused on certain timestamps while ignoring evidence that could have worked in the accused’s favor.

On the matter of sentencing, Agradaa's legal team contends that the judge did not properly consider mitigating factors, despite referring to Ghana’s Sentencing Guidelines. They assert that the sentence handed down—15 years with hard labour on two counts of defrauding by false pretenses (to run concurrently), plus a fine or additional 30-day sentence for charlatanic advertising—was excessively harsh.

In their bail motion, her lawyers assured the court that Agradaa would not abscond, interfere with the case, or breach any bail conditions. They also pledged that her sureties would provide the required security.

The court is yet to rule on the bail application as the appeal process awaits a scheduled hearing.