After two failed attempts, the embattled Fetish Priestess turned Evangelist, Patricia Asieduaa, has finally secured bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00 with three sureties at the Accra Circuit Court ‘9’.
The court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, granted Nana Agradaa bail yesterday and ordered that her sureties must be government workers earning not less than GH¢2,000.00 a month.
Mr. Acquah further ordered that Nana Agradaa, who celebrated her 41st Birthday yesterday, is to report to the police every Wednesday and reappear before the court on November 10, 2022.
The bail application was applied for by Paul Assibi Abariga, defence counsel for Nana Agradaa, on the grounds that his client would not abscond, interfere with witnesses or evidence, and also that the amount involved was GH¢2,130.
Mr. Abariga drew the attention of the court to the fact that money doubling was an illegal activity in Ghana, and at the right time, the court would be called upon to order the arrest of the complainants as well.
The prosecuting officer, Deputy Superintendant of Police (DSP) Sylvester Asare, opposed the bail on the conviction that the Evangelist would interfere with investigations.
However, the court upheld the prayer of the defence and granted the accused bail. The prosecution was ordered to file all disclosures by the next adjourned date.
It must be noted that even if Nana is able to meet her bail conditions, another court has remanded her into police custody for two weeks as the state has pressed additional charges against her at another court.
Nana Agradaa was earlier remanded to appear before the Accra Circuit Court 9 today, but the state on Friday, October 14, arraigned her on similar charges before the Accra Circuit Court 10, presided over by Evelyn Asamoah.
Nana Agradaa is facing one count of charlatanic advertisement at both courts, but six and five charges of defrauding by false pretences respectively at Circuit Court 9 and Circuit Court 10.
She is facing a total of 13 charges, but has pleaded not guilty to all.
However, on the Friday’s episode, the court was told by the Prosecuting Officer, DSP Sylvester Asare, that on October 10, 2022, some member of the public (Complainants) reported to the police that Nana Agradaa (accused) demanded and received huge sums of monies from them under the pretext of doubling it for them.
He said upon the receipt of the complaints, the police commenced investigation into the matter which had led to the arrest of the accused.
According to him, preliminary investigations had established that on October 5, 2022, the accused advertised on Today’s TV and other social media platforms that she was capable of doubling money.
Additionally, he narrated to the court that investigations also established that the accused, through the said charlatanic adverts on the social media, invited members of the public, including the complainants, to attend an all-night service at her Heaven Way Champion International Ministry on October 7, 2022 to have their monies doubled.
He said the complainants and others members of the public came from far and near to attend the said all-night service.
DSP Asare added that the accused, during the all-night service successfully demanded and received huge sums of monies from some members of the public who attended, ” including the complainants in this matter…”
Brief Facts
According to the prosecution, the persons allegedly defrauded by Patricia Asieduaa were Yaa Bremah, a Trader from Ahenbubuanu Tafo, Kumasi; Emmanuel Kumi from Zenu Ashaiman; George Boateng from Obuasi; Grace Forson, a Hairdresser from Swedru; Mary Arthur, a Farmer from Takoradi, and Patricia Ankamah, a trader from Sunyani.
He said Nana Agradaa, Founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry at Weija, was reported to have, on October 5, 2022, advertised and invited on Today’s Television and other social media platforms that she is able to double any amount of money an individual gives her.
Thus, the accused, per the said advert invited members of the public to attend all-night service at her church for the alleged money doubling, for which the complainants and over one thousand others attended the said all night service and handed over sums of monies to her.
He added that the police commenced investigations into the matter and arrested the accused on October 9, 2022. During interrogations she admitted to the story of the complainants.
Additionally, it was established by investigations that pursuant to the said adverts by the accused on social media, the complainants came from far and near to attend the all-night service to get their monies doubled.
The accused successfully demanded and received huge sums of monies from members of the public who attended the said all-night service
