‘Evangelist’ Agradaa sentenced to 15 years for fraudulent money doubling scheme

The Circuit Court in Accra has sentenced Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, to 15 years’ imprisonment following her conviction on charges of charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretence.

The former traditional priestess, who later rebranded as a Christian evangelist, was found guilty of deceiving the public during a televised broadcast in 2022. In the programme, she claimed to possess spiritual powers capable of multiplying money, prompting many individuals to part with significant sums in anticipation of supernatural financial returns that never materialised.

The court’s decision, delivered after a protracted trial, is regarded as one of the most notable rulings in recent times involving spiritual fraud.

In line with legal procedures, the court ordered a pregnancy test prior to sentencing. The result confirmed that the convict was not pregnant, allowing the sentencing to proceed without delay.

The case has generated widespread public interest, not only because of the charges involved but also due to Agradaa’s transformation from a well-known fetish priestess to a self-proclaimed Christian prophetess. Her conviction has sparked mixed reactions, with some commending the judiciary for taking a firm stance against fraudulent spiritual practices, while others have described the sentence as excessive.

Agradaa was recently seen participating in the National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, where she was recognised as a member of the clergy.

She was also in the news for announcing a dollar handout she received from a member of the ruling party and CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi.