The High Court in Amasaman has reduced the 15-year prison sentence imposed on evangelist Nana Agradaa to 12 calendar months. The court upheld her conviction but ruled that the punishment was harsh and excessive in the circumstances. The revised sentence takes effect from 3 July 2025, the date of conviction. According to court records reported by local outlets, the judge also imposed a total fine of GH¢2,400.
From 15 years to one year
The original judgment in Accra set a 15-year term with hard labour for defrauding by false pretences and unlawful “charlatanic advertisement,” an offence that bans promotions of occult or deceptive spiritual services. The High Court confirmed the guilty verdict. However, it varied the sentence, reducing it to 12 months effective from 3 July 2025. Time already spent in custody will count, as provided by Ghana’s sentencing rules.
Legal test and proportionality
The judge relied on discretionary powers to adjust punishment within the law. In criminal justice, “proportionality” means a penalty should match the gravity of the offence and the offender’s circumstances. Here, the court found the 15-year custodial term went beyond what was necessary for punishment and deterrence. The conviction remains intact, which preserves accountability, yet the term now aligns with the proportionality principle.
Nana Agradaa sentence reduced — what it changes
Practically, the ruling shortens the period of incarceration to a fixed 12 months starting 3 July 2025. Thus, the remaining time depends on the calculation of credit for time served and any statutory remission. The fine of GH¢2,400 stands alongside the custodial term. De plus, the court’s reasoning will likely guide future fraud-related cases involving religious claims, a recurring issue in Ghana.
A case that stirred public debate
Nana Agradaa, a former fetish priestess turned Christian evangelist, has long divided opinion. The 15-year term triggered broad debate among legal practitioners and the public, many of whom questioned its severity. The High Court’s decision answers those concerns while maintaining the legal finding of guilt. It sends a dual message: deterrence remains important, but punishments must stay within reasonable bounds.
In sum, Amasaman High Court kept the conviction, reduced the sentence to one year from the date of conviction, and reaffirmed proportionality as a cornerstone of fair sentencing.
