PATRICIA ASIEDUA v. THE REPUBLIC

The High Court considered an application by convicted pastor Patricia Asiedua (popularly known as Nana Agradaa) for bail pending determination of her appeal against convictions for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretences. Relying on an extensive affidavit, she contended that (i) delays could result in her serving the 30-day sentence on Count 1 before the appeal is heard, (ii) there were exceptional constitutional breaches at trial, and (iii) the conviction was prima facie wrong with good prospects of success. The Republic opposed, arguing absence of exceptional circumstances and emphasising the 15-year concurrent sentence. Reviewing the statutory discretion under section 33(1) of the Courts Act and the guiding authorities, the judge held that neither a prima facie wrongful conviction nor any unusual circumstance had been shown, and that the length of sentence meant the appeal would likely be heard long before any substantial portion was served. Consequently, the court dismissed the application but ordered speedy preparation of the record of appeal.