AMASAMAN HIGH COURT OFFICIALLY REDUCES NANA AGRADAA’S 15-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE TO 12 MONTHS

Amasaman High Court Officially Reduces Nana Agradaa’s 15-Year Jail Sentence to 12 Months

The Amasaman High Court has officially reduced the prison sentence of controversial evangelist and former traditional priestess, Nana Agradaa, from 15 years to 12 months, confirming widespread reports that have sparked intense public debate across Ghana.

Nana Agradaa was originally convicted for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretence, after she was found guilty of deceiving members of the public and collecting money under false spiritual claims. The trial court initially handed her a 15-year custodial sentence, a decision many Ghanaians believed reflected the seriousness of the offences and the scale of harm caused to victims.

However, following an appeal, the Amasaman High Court reviewed the sentence and ruled that although the conviction remains valid, the length of the punishment was excessive. As a result, the court reduced the sentence to 12 months imprisonment, effective from the date of her conviction.

Importantly, the court did not overturn the guilty verdict. Nana Agradaa remains legally convicted of the offences brought against her. The only change made by the High Court was the reduction of the jail term, meaning the punishment was adjusted, not cancelled.

Legal experts explain that appellate courts have the authority to reduce sentences if they believe the punishment does not properly align with sentencing guidelines, mitigating factors, or proportionality under the law. In this case, the court exercised that discretion, leading to the one-year sentence.

The ruling has triggered strong reactions nationwide. While some argue that the court acted within its legal powers, many others believe the reduction undermines justice, especially for victims who lost money, trust, and dignity through the fraudulent acts.

Critics say reducing a 15-year sentence to just 12 months sends the wrong signal to the public and may weaken deterrence against similar crimes. Supporters of the decision, however, maintain that sentencing must always follow legal principles rather than public emotion.

What remains undisputed is the fact that the sentence was officially reduced by the court, and Nana Agradaa will now serve 12 months instead of 15 years, while her criminal conviction stands.

As discussions continue, the case has once again brought attention to issues of justice, accountability, and public confidence in Ghana’s legal system.