The lawyer for former Chief Executive of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has dismissed charges brought against his client, saying the prosecution lacks credible evidence.
Joseph Kpemka, a former Deputy Attorney General, said the charges — which include extortion and abuse of office for private gain — are without merit and will not stand in court. He made the comments during an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, 18 July.
“We have received the charge sheet. They have charged my client with extortion and using his office for private gain. We categorically deny each of the charges and will prove our case in court,” Mr Kpemka said.
Dr Abdul-Hamid is one of seven individuals and three companies charged by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in connection with an alleged GHS280 million (£15.3 million) extortion and money laundering scheme at the NPA.
In a statement released on Thursday, the former NPA boss denied the allegations, saying he had not been formally served with any charge sheet at the time the charges were made public.
Earlier this year, in February, the OSP accused Dr Abdul-Hamid of embezzling GHS1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF). His lawyers say the claims have since shifted, with prosecutors now focusing on extortion and procurement breaches, and reducing the alleged amount involved.
The OSP now claims Dr Abdul-Hamid personally received GHS24 million from oil marketing companies and petroleum transporters.
Dr Abdul-Hamid is expected to appear in court on Wednesday, 23 July. His legal team says it will vigorously contest the charges and prove that the case is unfounded.
