The High Court in Accra has ordered prison authorities to produce the founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry, Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, in court as she and three others are set to open their defence in a separate criminal case.
The directive came after the court heard arguments on a submission of no case filed by Agradaa’s legal team. The court ruled that the accused persons have a case to answer and must proceed to open their defence.
Nana Agradaa, who is currently serving a 15-year jail term following her conviction on charges of charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretence, was absent from the courtroom on Monday. The prosecution told the court she is in lawful custody at Nsawam Prison.
“We requested a warrant for her to be brought to court any time the case is called,” a prosecutor explained, after the judge inquired about her whereabouts.
Counsel for Agradaa, Richard Adade Baffour, pleaded with the court to adjourn the ruling until she could be present.
However, the court proceeded and ordered that the prison authorities ensure her presence in court for the next sitting.
The judge also instructed that any witness statements be filed within two weeks, setting July 30 at 1:00 p.m. for the Case Management Conference (CMC).
Background
Nana Agradaa and three others — Enock Owusu Kissi, 33; Charles Omane, alias One Gig, 39; and Emmanuel Kofi Gyasi, 47 — are facing charges for allegedly sharing nude images of a prophet, Emmanuel Appiah Fomum.
Agradaa faces four charges, including possession of obscene material and non-consensual sharing of intimate images, contrary to the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). Her co-accused are charged with abetment of crime and conspiracy to commit a crime related to the unlawful sharing of intimate images.
According to the brief facts filed by state prosecutors on July 11, 2024, the incident occurred during a live broadcast of Agradaa’s programme ‘Yi Wasum’ on her former TV station, Thunder TV — now rebranded as Today’s TV. The programme was simultaneously streamed on YouTube and Facebook.
Prosecutors say Nana Agradaa displayed nude photos of Prophet Fomum on-air, later sending them via WhatsApp to another individual. Her co-accused, who appeared as panellists on the programme, allegedly made disparaging comments about the prophet’s nudity during the broadcast.
The case had previously been dismissed by the Circuit Court, but state prosecutors refiled the charges at the High Court.
Nana Agradaa and her co-accused are expected to appear before the court again on July 30, 2025, for the Case Management Conference, where they will open their defence.
BY HANSON AGYEMANG
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