The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has defended its ongoing criminal prosecution of former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, describing the case as “serious and substantial” after he publicly dismissed it as “useless” in a video.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid, who served as head of the NPA until early 2025, is facing multiple corruption and financial crime charges before the Criminal High Court in Accra. The charges include conspiracy to commit extortion by a public officer, extortion, abuse of office for profit, and money laundering.
According to prosecutors, the former NPA boss and two other officials are accused of plotting to extort over GH¢291 million and US$332,000 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024. He is also alleged to have unlawfully received GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 from transport and haulage firms under the guise of official duties. Additionally, he is accused of laundering GH¢15.3 million, said to be far beyond his known income.
The OSP said assets worth more than GH¢100 million and US$100,000 have already been seized and frozen, while further investigations are ongoing to trace additional proceeds. The agency emphasized that these actions are based on strong documentary, banking, and transaction evidence linking the proceeds to the alleged offenses.
“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 OSP said in a statement released on 4 November 2025.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid made the controversial remarks on 4 November 2025 while at the High Court in Accra to support Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is facing separate legal proceedings. Speaking to media persons, he said, “I came to support my friend Wontumi. Me, my matter is useless. There is nothing in it.”
The OSP responded swiftly to his comments, restating the facts behind the prosecution in a social media post. The agency outlined the specific charges against Dr. Abdul-Hamid, noting that he is the first accused among ten individuals facing trial in the case.
The prosecution alleges that Dr. Abdul-Hamid, together with two NPA officials, engaged 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 described the prosecution as a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid, a former Minister of Information, has denied any wrongdoing. He expressed confidence that the case would not stand, insisting he has no reason for concern.
The case will resume on Thursday, 13 November 2025. The OSP emphasized that the seriousness of the charges and the scale of the alleged losses underscore the importance of the prosecution in safeguarding public resources and upholding integrity in strategic sectors.
Source: newsghana.com.gh
