Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), is scheduled to appear before the Criminal Division 3 of the High Court on Wednesday, July 23, alongside six others, in connection with a high-profile corruption case brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The case centers on allegations that Abdul-Hamid orchestrated an extortion and money-laundering scheme between 2022 and December 2024, during which over GHS280.5 million (approximately $20 million) was reportedly collected from petroleum-related transactions. Of that sum, the OSP claims GHS24 million was paid directly to the former NPA chief, while the rest was allegedly laundered through intermediaries and three Ghanaian-registered companies.
The OSP confirmed the court date in a statement issued via social media on July 17. The other defendants named include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Wendy Newman, Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bernako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquah. All seven individuals are currently on inquiry bail as they await formal trial proceedings.
In a sharp rebuttal, Abdul-Hamid’s legal team rejected the allegations, stating that as of July 17, their client had not received formal charges or been arraigned. They described the case as "legally deficient" and claimed that the charges have shifted significantly over time—from initial embezzlement accusations totaling GHS1.3 billion to the current charges of extortion and money laundering involving a substantially reduced figure.
“Our client denies any involvement, direct or indirect, in the alleged scheme and affirms he did not receive any personal benefit,” the legal team said in a statement. They also pointed to what they called “unprecedented financial growth” at the NPA under Abdul-Hamid’s leadership, noting that the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) rose from GHS53 million in 2021 to over GHS1.1 billion by the end of 2024.
“This is a man who served with integrity and competence,” the statement added. “He is fully prepared to challenge any charges and is confident that the facts will exonerate him.”
The case has drawn considerable public and industry attention given Abdul-Hamid’s standing as a high-profile public figure in Ghana’s energy regulatory sector. The upcoming court session is expected to determine whether formal trial proceedings will be initiated.
