Ten individuals, including former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, are set to appear before the Criminal Division 3 of the High Court in Accra on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in what has become one of Ghana’s most significant corruption cases in recent years.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has confirmed that all accused persons remain on inquiry bail as they prepare to face charges related to an alleged GH¢280.51 million extortion and money laundering scheme that reportedly operated within the National Petroleum Authority.
The OSP has charged seven individuals and three companies in connection with the sprawling financial scandal, with accusations including corruption of public officers, dishonestly causing financial loss to the Republic, conspiracy to commit crime, and laundering proceeds from unlawful activity.
The prosecution alleges that Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid conspired with another official and eight others to extort the substantial sum from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies (OMCs).
The scheme allegedly involved systematic extraction of funds from companies operating within Ghana’s petroleum sector during Hamid’s tenure as NPA CEO.
According to the OSP’s investigation, the corruption network operated through a complex web of financial transactions, with evidence suggesting that millions of cedis were channeled through various entities to conceal the source and destination of the extorted funds.
Lawyers representing Mustapha Abdul-Hamid have declared that their client is not guilty of any of the charges made against him by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
The former NPA CEO has strongly denied allegations levelled against him by the OSP over the alleged extortion scheme, with his legal team issuing statements debunking the accusations.
The defense team has characterized the OSP’s allegations as baseless and without merit, signaling what appears to be a vigorous legal battle ahead.
This strong pushback from the accused persons suggests the case will likely involve extensive legal arguments and evidence presentation when it reaches the High Court.
This prosecution represents a major test case for Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly regarding the petroleum sector, which has been a focal point of governance and transparency concerns in recent years.
The National Petroleum Authority plays a crucial role in regulating Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry, making allegations of corruption within its leadership particularly significant for public trust and sector integrity.
The OSP, which has been investigating the matter since early 2025, views this as one of Ghana’s most high-profile corruption prosecutions.
The case also demonstrates the Special Prosecutor’s commitment to pursuing complex financial crimes involving substantial sums and multiple defendants.
The July 23 court appearance will mark the formal beginning of legal proceedings in the Criminal Division 3 of the High Court.
Given the complexity of the charges and the number of defendants involved, the case is expected to be lengthy and closely watched by both the media and the public.
The prosecution will need to present compelling evidence to prove the alleged conspiracy and money laundering activities, while the defense will likely challenge both the evidence and the legal basis for the charges.
The case’s outcome could have significant implications for how corruption cases involving state institutions are prosecuted in Ghana.
As the accused persons prepare for their court appearance while on OSP inquiry bail, the legal proceedings promise to provide important insights into the alleged corruption scheme and test the strength of Ghana’s anti-corruption legal framework.
The case will be closely monitored as it progresses through the judicial system, with implications extending beyond the immediate defendants to broader questions of accountability in Ghana’s petroleum sector.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
