The ongoing GH₵20 million defamation lawsuit filed by gospel singer Empress Gifty against controversial televangelist Evangelist Mama Pat, also known as Agradaa, has taken a new turn, as the defendant’s legal team has requested a change in the trial venue.
During proceedings at the Tema High Court on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Agradaa’s lawyers filed an application asking the court to transfer the case from Tema to a court in the Eastern Region. Their primary argument hinges on Agradaa’s current incarceration at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, located in the Eastern Region, where she is serving a 15-year sentence with hard labour.
According to her lawyers, since Nsawam has become Agradaa’s place of residence by legal definition, it would be procedurally appropriate and logistically convenient for the defamation trial to be held within that jurisdiction.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, Empress Gifty’s lead counsel, Patrick Tawiah-Amprofi, confirmed the application and noted that his legal team had taken note of Agradaa’s concurrent appeal against her conviction. He hinted that this appeal may also become a relevant factor in contesting the change of venue.
“We will raise our arguments against the application in the next hearing,” he said. “The venue of the case does not affect the core issue of the defamation claim. We believe justice can still be served at Tema High Court.”
Agradaa’s husband, Angel Asiamah, and her legal team were present in court to support her case.
The request for transfer is now in the hands of the court, and a ruling on the matter is expected at the next sitting. Meanwhile, the defamation suit itself—which stems from alleged defamatory remarks made by Agradaa against Empress Gifty on social media—remains unresolved.
Legal observers say the application for venue transfer may delay the progress of the case, depending on how the court rules.
The Tema High Court will continue to deliberate on both the venue application and the substantive defamation matter in the coming weeks.
