The Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has been granted bail of GH¢2 million in a high-stakes corruption case involving extortion and money laundering, currently being prosecuted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Dr. Abdul-Hamid, the first accused in the case, is required to produce two sureties earning a minimum net monthly income of GH¢5,000 each.
The sureties must justify the bail sum, and the former NPA boss is to report to the OSP every two weeks as investigations continue.
He stands trial alongside nine others, including Jacob Kwamena Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, and Wendy Newman, an NPA staff member both of whom have also been granted GH¢2 million bail under similar terms.
All three have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public officer, using public office for profit, and money laundering.
Four additional individuals, Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquah have also been granted bail in the same amount.
However, they are required to present three sureties, one of whom must provide landed property as collateral. They are also to report to the OSP fortnightly.
The accused persons are alleged to have executed a coordinated scheme between 2022 and 2024 that extorted funds of about GHC280 million from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs). Proceeds were allegedly laundered through the acquisition of luxury real estate, vehicles, and fuel stations.
The case has been adjourned to August 26, 2025, when substantive hearings are expected to commence.
