The Amasaman High Court has reduced the prison sentence of controversial evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, from 15 years to 12 months, ruling that the original punishment was harsh and excessive.
In a revised judgment delivered on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the court upheld her conviction but exercised its discretionary powers to review the sentence, replacing the initial term with a one year custodial sentence and a fine of 200 penalty units, equivalent to 2,400 cedis.
The judge held that the earlier sentence focused disproportionately on the personality of the convict rather than the specific circumstances of the offences, describing the 15 year term as excessive.
The court clarified that the new 12 month sentence is to be served as a calendar month term, meaning Agradaa will serve the full year in real time, without the reduced prison time calculation system typically applied in some cases.
With the new ruling, the 15 year sentence has been completely set aside and replaced by the one year term and fine, which now constitute the operative punishment. Agradaa was also ordered to refund 1,000 cedis to her two complainants.
Agradaa, a former fetish priestess who later rebranded herself as an evangelist, was convicted on July 3, 2025, on charges of charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretences. Prosecutors said she used televised religious broadcasts on Today’s TV and social media platforms to solicit money from the public under false claims of spiritual and financial breakthroughs.
The prosecution’s case centered on activities where she allegedly advertised a money doubling scheme, with more than 1,000 people attending an all-night service and handing over substantial sums of cash. However, the promise was not fulfilled, leaving many financially distressed.
The original sentence, which included hard labour, generated widespread public debate and drew significant legal scrutiny over its severity. Agradaa and her lawyers filed an appeal and first appeared before the Amasaman High Court on December 4, 2025.
In her appeal documents, she argued that the trial was unfair, the evidence did not support the ruling, and the 15 year sentence was excessive.
Speaking after the court’s decision, Agradaa’s lawyer described the reduction as good news, though the legal team had hoped the conviction would be overturned entirely. He explained that Agradaa has already spent about seven months in prison, meaning she has approximately five months remaining before release.
The lawyer stated that from day one, the legal team maintained that the 15 year sentence was excessive, adding that the court has now spoken and the law is the law.
Angel Asiamah, husband of the convicted evangelist, expressed relief following the ruling, telling journalists at the court forecourt that he is the happiest man on earth.
Agradaa is currently serving her sentence at the Nsawam Female Prison. The revised sentence, effective from her conviction date of July 3, 2025, brings finality to the sentencing phase of the high profile case, significantly shortening the time she is expected to spend behind bars.
