Former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) CEO, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and six others are scheduled to appear before the High Court (Criminal Division 3) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, to respond to serious corruption-related charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
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The OSP confirmed the court date in a public statement released on its official Facebook page on Thursday, July 17.
According to the OSP, Dr. Abdul-Hamid allegedly orchestrated an extortion scheme that saw over GHS280 million collected between 2022 and December 2024.
The OSP claims GHS24 million of that amount was received directly by Dr. Abdul-Hamid, while the rest was laundered through intermediaries and three companies.
Those expected to appear alongside him include:
- Jacob Kwamina Amuah
- Wendy Newman
- Albert Ankrah
- Isaac Mensah
- Bright Bernako-Mensah
- Kwaku Aboagye Acquah
All accused persons are currently on inquiry bail pending trial.
Denial and Legal Response
Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s lawyers have rejected the allegations, insisting that as of July 17, he had not been formally charged or served with any court documents.
They also criticized the OSP’s shifting narrative, recalling that initial accusations in February involved embezzlement of GHS1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) and procurement infractions. The case now centers on extortion and money laundering, with a reduced figure of GHS280 million.
“Our client denies initiating or being involved in any extortion scheme… and further denies receiving any personal benefit from such alleged conduct,” the legal team stated.
They highlighted Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s track record, citing a remarkable increase in the UPPF’s revenue from GHS53 million in 2021 to over GHS1.1 billion by 2024 as proof of his transparent leadership.
“This is a man who served with utmost integrity and competence. He is fully prepared to contest any charges and confident the truth will vindicate him.”
The case has sparked widespread interest, given its scale and the high profile of the individuals involved, especially within Ghana’s petroleum regulatory landscape.
