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INTRODUCTION
The controversial Ghanaian spiritualist and preacher, Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Agradaa, is serving a 15-year jail term after she was convicted and sentenced for defrauding by false pretences and charlatanic advertisement.
But barely two weeks into her jail term, her lawyers have filed for bail pending appeal at the High Court. Many are asking, “Is it possible to file for bail after conviction and sentencing?”
REACTION OF GHANAIANS TO THE BAIL APPLICATION
Reacting to the development in an X post on July 14, 2025, an X user, @fixondennis, wrote:
“Lawyers on the TL. Is it possible to file for bail after sentencing?”
The social media platform data showed that as of July 15, 2025, the post had over 307,543 views, 70 comments, 4,234 likes, and 52 bookmarks.
Responding to the post, an X user, @Jonatha54917744, asked, “Convict filing for bail, how is that possible?”
Another X user, @manmistygh, wrote, “I don’t really get it. There is no bail available after sentencing. You can only go for an appeal.”
DUBAWA has put together this article to answer that very question.
The simple answer is YES!
WHAT IS BAIL?
In Ghana, a bail is a temporary release from legal authority, enabling someone to appear at the place and time specified in the bail bond.
Under Section 96 of Ghana’s Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), a court may grant bail to a person:
(a) During investigations (Police Enquiry Bail)
(b) While waiting for trial (Bail Pending Trial), and
(c) After conviction and sentencing, but pending appeal (Bail Pending Appeal)
So, yes. A person convicted and sentenced can apply for bail to enable him or her to appeal. However, the grant of bail here is not AUTOMATIC.
FACTORS GHANAIAN COURTS CONSIDER BEFORE GRANTING BAIL PENDING APPEAL
The Ghanaian courts consider one of four grounds in granting a convict Bail Pending Appeal. This was formulated in the celebrated case of Fynn & another v The Republic, a case decided in 1971.
The grounds are:
1. If there are exceptional or unusual grounds for the applications
2. If the conviction is prima facie wrong, and the appeal has a chance of succeeding.
3. If the case is such that the convicted person would need to prepare for the appeal, and
4. If looking at the sentence, there are going to be delays in preparing for the appeal
If a convict can prove any of these grounds, the court will grant bail pending appeal to enable him or her to prepare the appeal.
Meanwhile, the High Court in Amasaman, Accra, dismissed the evangelist’s bail pending her lawyers’ appeal. This means she must be in prison while challenging her conviction and sentencing.
CONCLUSION
So, yes, Agradaa, the Ghanaian spiritualist, is within her rights to apply for bail pending appeal, and there is nothing wrong with that.
