Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of extortion and money laundering in a high-profile case brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Appearing before the Accra High Court, Abdul-Hamid was granted bail in the amount of GHS 2 million. The charges stem from an investigation led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, who alleges that Abdul-Hamid and several associates orchestrated a scheme that illicitly extracted more than GHS 280 million from oil marketing companies and bulk oil transporters.
According to prosecutors, the alleged scheme involved systematic demands for payments from private firms operating within Ghana’s petroleum distribution network, under the guise of regulatory compliance.
The case marks one of the most significant anti-corruption prosecutions under Agyebeng’s tenure, as his office intensifies scrutiny of financial misconduct in the country’s energy sector.
Abdul-Hamid, a former government spokesperson and academic before assuming the NPA role, has denied all wrongdoing. His legal team has signaled its intent to challenge the admissibility of key evidence in the weeks ahead.
The court has adjourned proceedings, with hearings expected to resume later this term as both sides prepare for a protracted legal battle.
