Kumasi, Ghana – By: Evans Osei-Bonsu
The former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has been granted bail to the tune of GH₵2 million by the High Court, Accra, today, following his appearance in court over allegations of corruption, extortion, and money laundering involving an estimated GH₵280 million.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid, who served as NPA boss until 2024 and is also a former Minister for Information, pleaded not guilty to all charges when he appeared before Justice Ellen Mireku on Tuesday. He was charged alongside six others, including senior NPA officials and associates, all of whom also denied wrongdoing.
The courtroom was tense as prosecutors from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) laid out a raft of allegations against the accused. According to the charge sheet, the group allegedly conspired to unlawfully demand payments from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) under the guise of regulatory enforcement between 2022 and 2024. These funds, estimated to be over GH₵280 million, were allegedly funneled into personal purchases including luxury vehicles, fuel stations, and real estate properties.
The court, after listening to the arguments, granted Dr. Abdul-Hamid bail with strict conditions. He is required to provide two sureties—one of whom must be a public servant earning not less than GH₵5,000 monthly. In addition, he must deposit his passport with the court and report twice a week to the Office of the Special Prosecutor pending further investigations.
His Lawyer, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, a former deputy Attorney-General, tells this portal at the time of filing the report that they have satisfied all the conditions and deposited the passport of his client at the Court’s registry.
He stated “I do not find the bail conditions onerous.’
Other accused persons, including Jacob Kwamina Amuah of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund and NPA official Wendy Newman, were also granted bail on similar terms. The judge emphasized the need for full compliance with the bail conditions or risk revocation.
The case has been adjourned to August 12, 2025, for case management. In the meantime, the Office of the Special Prosecutor is expected to expand its investigation and possibly file additional disclosures.
