State defends prosecution of former NPA boss, calls case ‘serious and substantial’

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has responded to comments made by the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, who described his ongoing criminal trial as “useless.”

In a detailed statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, November 4, the OSP said it was important to restate the facts behind Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s prosecution and to clarify why the State considers the case both serious and substantial.

According to the OSP, “Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the first accused, is standing trial before the Criminal High Court in Accra on several counts of serious corruption and financial crimes.”

These charges include:

• Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by a Public Officer: Jointly with two NPA officials, accused of plotting to extort GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024.

• Two Counts of Extortion by a Public Officer: The unlawful receipt of GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 from oil transporters and haulage companies under the guise of official duties.

• Two Counts of Using Public Office for Profit: Accused of abusing his office as NPA Chief Executive for private gain, unlawfully enriching himself with GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000.

• Money Laundering: Found to be in possession of GH¢15,343,251.29, an amount disproportionate to his known legitimate income and suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The statement further explained that, in total, “Dr. Abdul-Hamid is alleged to have played a leading role in a grand extortion and laundering scheme that caused the State and petroleum sector losses exceeding GH¢291 million and over US$330,000.”

The OSP revealed that it has already seized and frozen assets valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100,000, with additional assets under active tracing. “These actions are based on strong documentary, banking, and transaction evidence linking the proceeds to the alleged offences,” it added.

The Office emphasized that the case represents a significant move to protect public funds and ensure accountability in the petroleum sector. “This case represents a major step in protecting public funds, ensuring accountability in the petroleum sector, and affirming that no public official is above the law. The seriousness of the charges and the scale of the alleged losses make this prosecution a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption.”

The next court sitting has been scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2025.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net