Legal experts and public commentators, Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, has critcised the Amasaman High Court Judge for reducing the sentence of spiritualist Patricia Asiedu, popularly known as Agradaa, from 15 years to just 12 months.
According to Brako-Powers, the Amasaman High Court decision is absurd and a mockery of the law.
Brako-Powers highlighted that the judge’s decision is surprising, arguing that it sends the wrong signal to the public.
He explained that the judge’s decision almost reclassifies a serious felony as a mere misdemeanour, adding that a Second-degree felonies are serious crimes.
Speaking on 3FM’s Midday News on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Mr Brako-Powers explained, “It is quite surprising, but it is not new for an appellate court to reduce a sentence from 15 years to just 12 months. The key question people will be asking is: Is this really legal?”
“The imposition of jail time or years of imprisonment is discretionary. Just that the law has circumscribed the years that must be imposed,” he added.
Brako-Powers added, “To reduce a sentence from 15 years to just one year is absurd. At that point, it almost reclassifies a serious felony as a mere misdemeanour. Judges must take solace in the law and act within the legal framework. Anything less undermines justice.”
“The State has options. Acts like these should be met with sanctions that deter others. One year is simply inadequate for a crime of this magnitude,” he said.
Mr Brako-Powers also emphasised, “The judge’s decision has made a mockery of the law. Second-degree felonies are serious crimes, and leniency of this kind erodes trust in our criminal justice system”.
His comments come on the heels of the Amasaman High Court’s decision yesterday, February 5, 2026, describing Agradaa’s original punishment as harsh and excessive under the circumstances of the case.
The Amasaman High Court, in its decision, affirmed her conviction but exercised its discretion to vary the sentence, reducing the 15 years of hard labour earlier imposed by the trial court.
Agradaa’s revised sentence takes effect from July 3, 2025, the date of her conviction, which means she will serve a total of 12 months in prison.
The court decision will now see Agradaa being freed from prison by July 2026.
The Amasaman High Court added that although the offences for which Agradaa was convicted warranted punishment, the severity of the initial sentence was disproportionate under the circumstances, justifying a downward adjustment.
Earlier, Agradaa in court today, February 2026, made a court appearance under heavy security provided by the Prison Service officers.
Agradaa, for the first time, appeared at the Amasaman High Court for the first time without her face covered.
In a viral video shared on X, Agradaa was seen being escorted by heavy security provided by Prison Service officers without her usual face covering.
Agradaa was serving a 15-year jail term after she was sentenced for two counts of defrauding by false pretences.
She was sentenced by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah of the Circuit Court.
Agradaa was also fined GH¢300 for one count of charlatanic advertisement, with a 30-day custodial sentence in default of payment.
Her charges stem from a televised advertisement she aired in 2022.
In the ad, Agradaa claimed she has the power to double the money for her congregants at the Godsway International Heaven Church, misleading them into surrendering their money during an all-night church service at her Weija-based ministry in Accra.
The Judge, Evelyn Asamoah, highlighted that Agradaa skilfully executed the offences and showed no remorse during proceedings.