Legal expert Obiri Boahen has provided clarity on the impact of evangelist Patricia Asiedua, also known as Nana Agradaa’s recent 15-year prison sentence on the ongoing defamation lawsuit brought against her by gospel musician Empress Gifty.
During an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM on 3 July 2025, Mr Boahen emphasized that Agradaa’s incarceration for defrauding by false pretence and charlatanic advertisement does not halt any other legal actions pending against her, including the defamation suit filed by Empress Gifty.
Boahen stated, “Empress Gifty still has a case, and regardless of whether Agradaa is in prison, it will not affect her ability to proceed with the defamation suit. Empress can pursue the prosecution even in Agradaa’s absence.”
He further clarified that the courts are not obligated to wait until Agradaa completes her sentence before allowing other cases to move forward. “On the day of the hearing, if Agradaa’s presence is necessary, the case will still go on. The court will not put Empress Gifty’s case on hold simply because Agradaa is in jail. There’s no provision in Ghana’s laws that mandates the suspension of court proceedings due to incarceration,” he explained.
Additionally, Boahen mentioned that if Agradaa has other pending cases in different circuit courts, they will continue without interruption. “If there are other cases in different courts, they will not be cancelled. The court has the authority to issue a warrant for the prison service to present her in court if needed,” he said.
Furthermore, Boahen highlighted that Empress Gifty cannot be compelled to transfer her case to a different jurisdiction solely for Agradaa’s convenience due to her prison location. “You cannot request that Empress Gifty transfer her case to a court closer to Agradaa’s prison. The only option available is for Agradaa’s legal team to petition the Chief Justice, citing her incarceration as a basis to consider logistical adjustments,” he explained.
In conclusion, Boahen reaffirmed that Nana Agradaa’s imprisonment will not shield her from facing other legal challenges, especially those initiated by private individuals like Empress Gifty. The legal proceedings will continue as scheduled, irrespective of Agradaa’s incarceration status.
