Senior legal practitioner Bright Anyenini has urged the Attorney-General to appeal a recent High Court decision that significantly reduced the custodial sentence of televangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, from 15 years to just one year.
In comments reported on March 19, 2026, Anyenini described the sentence reduction as “troubling” and warned that it could erode public confidence in Ghana's justice system. He emphasized that Agradaa’s original 15-year sentence, imposed after her conviction on fraud-related offences, was crucial as a deterrent against similar conduct.
The Amasaman High Court, in February 2026, ruled that the initial 15-year term was “harsh and excessive,” subsequently reducing it to a 12-month period. This decision has since ignited considerable public debate, with some commentators supporting the reduction based on case specifics, while others deemed it overly lenient.
Anyenini told media outlets that the Attorney-General has a legal obligation to consider appealing such reductions, particularly in cases involving fraud and deception that have broad social implications. “Where the sentencing court falls short of the mark in respect of deterrence, the Attorney-General should appeal where necessary to safeguard the interests of justice,” he stated.
He further stressed that sentencing guidelines must adequately reflect the severity of the offence and the imperative to deter similar actions, especially concerning misrepresentation and alleged financial misconduct. According to Anyenini, reducing a lengthy custodial sentence in a high-profile case sends an undesirable message about the state’s commitment to punishing wrongdoing.
Anyenini’s public remarks represent some of the strongest criticisms against the High Court’s ruling. He suggested that an appeal could prompt a higher court to reassess the appropriateness of the reduction, potentially leading to the reinstatement of a more substantial custodial term.